Javi Gracia believes Watford have the “perfect atmosphere” to push on for the rest of the season following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Leicester City.

The Hornets looked as if they would have to settle for a point in the lunchtime kick-off after Troy Deeney’s early opener was cancelled out by Jamie Vardy, but Andre Gray once again showed his value to his side's cause by coming off the bench to snatch an injury-time winner.

That goal ensured Watford got straight back to winning ways following their 5-0 loss at Liverpool and stay level-pegging with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the race to finish seventh in the Premier League.

The Hornets head coach said: “We are coming in this moment from Liverpool and it was very tough for us. Today, in my opinion, was a good performance.

“We remember what happened in the game against Leicester in the first round [of matches] and now I think we have the same points as the first round, we have a good balance in the team and the perfect atmosphere to play the rest of the season when there are nine games left, five of them will be at home, and we have the FA Cup quarter-finals.

“I think it’s good for us to have this position, but the feelings I can see in my players, all of them want more and more, they are ambitious. It’s not easy after working a long time to keep that ambition and atmosphere we have at the moment.”

Gracia admitted Leicester City’s change of manager had complicated preparations, but felt Watford’s first-half performance was better than their second.

“We always try to prepare for games the same way, but in this case it was different because Leicester had a new coach and we didn’t know the shape and the players they would choose,” he said. “When we started playing against three at the back we tried to adapt quickly and I think we played better in the first half, we adapted very quickly we scored and created more chances.

“In the second it was the moment when we tried to defend close to our goalposts, tried to be compact and in this way we were able to win against a very good team as Leicester is.”

Gracia was visibly increasingly irritated by some of referee Jon Moss’ decisions in the second half but, as he has done all season, he declined to comment on the performance of the official.

He said: “I respect all of them. When we have good or bad results, I know it is a very difficult job and I try to respect them always.

“Maybe during the game you are thinking another way and I tried to speak with the assistant, explain my point of view, that’s all I can do.”