Malky Mackay was full of praise for his players after presiding over his biggest win in management at The Den.

Six goals from six players – John Eustace, Jordon Mutch, Marvin Sordell, Adrian Mariappa, Danny Graham and Martin Taylor – lifted the Hornets to fifth in the table after the memorable 6-1 success over Millwall on Saturday.

A delighted Mackay said afterwards: “To come down here today and come away with a result like that and have it earned and it not be because of an anomaly, because of a sending off, to score the goals we did and also to create the extra chances that we did was all credit to that bunch of players.

“It’s not an easy place to come, The Den, and Kenny Jackett’s done wonderfully well at Millwall and this team have been riding on the crest of a wave and certainly look as if they’re taking this division in their stride. I knew it can be a hostile atmosphere down here as well, so to come away with the result we did [was great].”

Asked about how Watford prepared for taking on a team defending a 21-match unbeaten home run, the Hornets boss responded: “You’ve got to match Millwall’s work-rate and you’ve got to try and nullify their strengths. So we had to go to toe-to-toe with them and go at them and I think we did that and we applied ourselves from minute one in that way, and also know when to pick the passes.

“It’s all about decision making and invariably we made the right decisions today.”

The early goals from Eustace and Mutch stunned the home crowd and Mackay remarked: “This can be a very hostile atmosphere down here and sometimes people can come here and freeze. I’ve had days here myself where it can be very tough and I think that to score so early on, but to also play the way we played and have the possession that we did kind of quietens the crowd a little bit.

“I think it was important that going out in the second half, speaking to them about doing the basics properly because any manager’s going to be in there and maybe change things, which they did – they put two fresh faces on at half-time – that first ten minutes after half-time, if they get a goal back the crowd can get back up again and be re-fired.

“I think we deadened that and that’s what I wanted and to see so many empty spaces at the end of a game at The Den is a real tribute to my players.”