So much of what was lacking in last week’s derby defeat returned to Watford’s performance today which pleased head coach Tom Cleverley.

The 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Vicarage Road was built upon doing the basics well, and in a game of few chances it got them over the line.

“The foundation you need to be successful in this division is clean sheets and home form. We got both today,” he said.

“We needed that response and we are taking comfort from playing at home, and today I was pleased with the baseline of performance and the consistency of the basics.

“I thought we weren’t as good as we can be with the ball today, but we had that baseline because we competed, we ran, we concentrated at set pieces and sometimes that baseline of performance is enough to give you results in this division.

“We showed much better off-the-ball personality today, and were really hard to beat and hard to break down.

“There weren’t many chances on goal in the game from both sides and it was a really close affair that could have swung either way.

“Today it was our day and I was really pleased with the way we competed and did those basics that we didn’t show last Saturday.”

The Watford boss felt referee Mr England made the correct call for the penalty which decided the game.

“I certainly felt it was a penalty at the time though I’ve not had the chance to watch it back yet,” he said.

“It sounds to me like it’s one of those where you feel hard done by if it doesn’t get given, but also hard done by if it’s given against you.

“I’m not complaining today because we’ve had a few decisions not go our way.”

Cleverley used his bench to very good effect, and had told he players at half-time that those coming on in the second half could be matchwinners.

“I said to the boys at half-time that I thought the substitutes would make the difference today,” he said.

“I thought Bayo was excellent when he came on: he made the ball stick and he gave us territory on the pitch. With his greater experience he knows how to manage the game.

“Him coming on meant Baah moved wide into his more natural position, and he’s devastating when he gets the ball one v one out there.”