Watford battled well to nick the points away from home against Crystal Palace, with Craig Cathcart scoring at both ends before a peach of a volley from Tom Cleverley settled the scores.

It was a far from easy win for Watford, who did not look comfortable for most of the game, before they got the best of a frantic finale. 

Here's how we rated the players' individual performances:

Ben Foster - 8

'Big Ben' showed once again just why he has received such a nickname from head coach Javi Gracia.

The keeper produced some very important saves with a fragile looking defence in front of him and was brave when he needed to be, throwing himself at the feet of Wilfried Zaha at the end of the contest to ensure the points went home with the Hornets.

Kiko Femenia - 6

Femenia had his work cut out with both Zaha and Patrick Van Aanholt attacking down the flank he was guarding and obviously found life difficult.

However, he dug in when he needed to after Watford took the lead and pitched in to help reduce the home side to half chances.

Craig Cathcart - 6 

After scoring a hugely unfortunate own goal, Cathcart will have been relieved to find himself on the winning side.

While there was not much the defender could have done to prevent the ball deflecting off him for the own goal, there was work he could have done to prevent the home side from getting the ball in such an advantageous position. 

Despite that, he took his chance at the other end very well at a time when goalscoring opportunities were hard to come by for the Hornets.

Adrian Mariappa - 6

Marippa is another defender who had a difficult time at the back, but who stepped up when it mattered at the end.

He limited Jordan Ayew to half chances, but allowed shots to rain on Foster's goal from outside the box by not closing people down fast enough.

Jose Holebas - 7

Marking Andros Townsend was never going to be a simple job, but Holebas kept the England international quiet for the most part.

Meanwhile, at the other end, his deliveries regularly caused problems for the Palace defenders. 

His corner picked out Cathcart excellently for the equalising goal.

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6

This was a rare off day for the Frenchman who did not have the impact he usually does in the centre of the park. 

His marauding runs forward were missing from his game, as was his trademark drive and purpose and the midfield noticeably suffered because of that.

Etienne Capoue – 6

It is a rare occasion that Doucoure has a bad day, rarer still that both he and Capoue perform below their expected level. Yet that is what happened at Selhurst Park.

Capoue and Doucoure are renowned for taking the game by the scruff of the neck and shutting out the opposition, yet the game was allowed to flow far too easily through the midfield without interference from either player.

The score is a redeeming factor for both.

Will Hughes – N/A

Substituted early on following an injury and therefore did not get chance to make much of an impact.

Roberto Pereyra – 6

The Argentine was missing his shooting boots on an Afternoon where taking chances was imperative.

He should have put the Hornets ahead early on, but instead found the post with an open goal at his mercy.

Gerard Deulofeu – 6

On another day, Watford could have had a lot of joy on the counter attack, where Deulofeu was the main outlet.

However, his first touch frequently let him down, while his finishing should have been sharper, particularly after he had done the hard work to beat his man early on, only to find the foot of the post.

Troy Deeney – 7

The Watford skipper is custom built for games like this one and he did the ugly side of the game well.

He used his strength to his advantage, barged others off the ball and built counter-attacks with a degree of regularity.

He was unfortunate not to score, yet was also one of a few who produced a performance to be pleased with.

Substitutes

Ken Sema – 4

It is a rarity in football that a substitute is substituted himself, yet Javi Gracia felt Sema’s performance was poor enough to justify removing him early on.

The Swede failed to make an impact on the game after replacing Will Hughes. He was easily dispossessed and never looked to threaten the Crystal Palace defenders.

After his departure, Watford looked an entirely different team going forward – a damning indictment of his performance.  

Tom Cleverley – 8

One of the biggest positives Gracia will take from the victory is the impact Cleverley made from the bench.

He replaced the lacklustre Sema and within just a few minutes of his introduction he had volleyed a superb effort into the top corner and put Watford in front.

He also pitched in with defensive work to ensure the Hornets held onto the points.

Adam Masina – N/A

Joined the game too late to make an impact.