Watford head coach Javi Gracia was delighted for the Hornets supporters after the 1-0 triumph against Everton.

Andre Gray’s second-half finish from Will Hughes’ cross proved to be the match’s decisive moment as his side inflicted a 10th defeat in 16 games in all competitions on the Toffees and added to Marco Silva’s troubles on his return to Vicarage Road.

Gracia said: “I’m very happy to get three points today. Seeing all our supporters enjoying the game and the result is something amazing for us. After playing a lot of games away – from January 2 I think we’ve played seven games and six of them have been away – to play home is always something special for us and to get the victory today is something amazing.”

Gray was introduced at the start of the second period in place of the ineffective Ken Sema and explaining the change, Gracia said: “We decided to change the shape because playing with Troy (Deeney) and Gerard (Deulofeu) in front we didn’t find the way to attack well and I prefer in that moment to play with Troy and Andre, Gerard playing on the left, because we weren’t precise enough.

“I thought it was better to attack directly, to be ready for second balls. It was an equal game, I know it, but playing this way today we were able to get three points.”

Although Everton hit the woodwork twice, Watford generally defended well throughout but Gracia was keen to pay credit to whole team for their effort in keeping a fourth clean sheet in five league and cup matches and not just the backline.

He said: “I think the team is defending at a high level, not only in the defensive line and the keeper. In the last games, at Brighton I thought Ben (Foster) was amazing, but all the team is defending well.

“Today it wasn’t possible to get a clean sheet if all the team wasn’t very demanding in defence and I think they did it.”

As well as helping to keep the Toffees at bay, Craig Cathcart played a crucial role in the goal with a delightful pass to put Hughes in the clear to tee up Gray for the winner.

Gracia smiled: “We prepare that corner kick, that play. It’s a pass more of a striker than a centre-back, but it was very good from him.”