Javi Gracia has been named Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for August after masterminding Watford’s perfect start to the season.

The Hornets won all three of their matches in the opening month of the campaign as they overcame Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Brighton were comfortably beaten 2-0 on the opening day before Watford sealed a 3-1 defeat of the Clarets on the road and beat Palace 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Watford’s form, which extended into September with a 2-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur last time out, has seen them become the first side in the club’s history to enjoy such an impressive unbeaten start to the season.

Gracia beat Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea boss Mauricio Sarri and Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to the award, despite all three clubs also going through August unbeaten.

The Spaniard was congratulated by his Watford players at the Hornets’ London Colney training ground.