Joshua King says Christian Kabasele’s red card was the pivotal moment in Watford’s 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Hornets centre-back was given his marching orders for two bookable offences in the first period, the second of which led to a penalty which King dispatched.

Bournemouth’s winning margin by no means flattered the visitors at Vicarage Road and Watford were second best across the pitch.

King, though, believes Kabasele’s early bath, which came with the score at 1-0, allowed the Cherries to seize the initiative.

He said: “They got a man sent off and we took advantage of that. Normally when a man gets sent off it changes and we can let our mentality go and work rate go. Today we didn’t and were able to take advantage.”

The result saw Bournemouth move three points clear of Watford having started the day a place behind the Hornets in seventh.

Both sides have impressed this term to be dubbed the best of the rest by many after being touted as potential relegation candidates.

Watford will remain pleased with their start to the season, but a run of five games without a win in all competitions, which stretches to the previous international break, has taken the sheen off the run of four straight wins which opened the campaign.