Watford boss Malky Mackay believes Crystal Palace's two early goals were the difference

The Hornets were 2-0 down within six minutes at Selhurst Park due to goals from Victor Moses and Alan Lee and Mackay believes that was the main difference.

“I think it is the two early goals,” Mackay said.

“I think if you give away two very early goals in the first five minutes then it changes the outlook of the game and the outlook of the team you are playing against and then you are on the front foot to try and claw that back.

“Credit to them [Watford players] in the first half. I think we came into the game after giving the two goals away, to the point we ended up getting the penalty before half time.”

Watford had the chance to get back into the game on the stroke of half time when on loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury was brought down but Danny Graham’s penalty was saved.

Darren Ambrose soon added a third goal but Mackay refused to blame the former Carlisle United man.

However, Mackay did admit: “You are thinking if that goes in at half time it is 2-1 and you are getting there and getting yourself back into the game.

“Definitely as far as I am concerned, you want to be thinking that is you back in it and positive.

“In the second half at 2-0, an early goal and that changes it as well, but I have no problem with the third strike. It is in the top corner and that kind of kills it in terms of the win or the draw.

“But the way we still pressed for it and went for it in the second half and there were bits and pieces of chances, I have got to give credit to my players as far as that is concerned.

“They are a young team and they are learning every week at the moment. They are learning that we have got to come out and start.”

He added: “You don’t give teams with the experience on the park as Crystal Palace and the experience of the manager a two-goal start.”

To hear the whole of Mackay’s post-match press conference, click here