Walter Mazzarri congratulated Adrian Mariappa after putting in “one of the best” performances during Watford’s 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

With Miguel Britos suspended and Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl ruled out through injury, the popular centre-half started a Premier League game for the first time this season after returning to Vicarage Road in the summer.

Spurs ran out comfortable winners as Son Heung-min netted a brace following Dele Alli’s stunning strike and Eric Dier had doubled the hosts’ lead, but the 2012 Player of the Season produced a typically committed display despite his lack of game time against a team which secured an 11th consecutive Premier League home win.

The 30-year-old was making his 250th appearance in all competitions for Watford and Mazzarri said: “He was very good and my opinion he was one of the best today. Especially if you take into consideration it was a long time he was not playing, not starting and against such a big team like Tottenham without committing mistakes or at least big mistakes, so congratulations to him.”