Watford boss Sean Dyche felt his side didn’t get the rub of the green at Fratton Park but admitted the performance in the 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth was ‘slightly off it’.

The Hornets suffered their first defeat in nine league outings thanks to second-half goals from Marko Futacs and Hayden Mullins and Dyche said: “I think it was a game where, if the truth be known, we were slightly off it compared to our usual performances quite lately. We’ve set the bar quite high with our performance level.

“In the first half I thought we did okay, especially on the counter, and opened up some very good what I’d call nearly moments which should result in a finish on goal but didn’t.

“The second half, it was a tough one for us, there was a lot going against us and we found that hard to keep maintaining and keep going. There was no lack of effort, no lack of organisation, just players slightly not on their game.”

Watford’s stand-out performer was keeper Scott Loach, who made four or five good saves before he was controversially sent off with eight minutes remaining for handling outside his area, even though he looked to have been fouled beforehand.

Asked whether it was ‘unfortunate’ for Loach in light of his otherwise impressive display, Dyche responded: “It shouldn’t be unfortunate. I think it’s quite clear to see. I think everyone’s of the same opinion.

“It’s unfortunate that will be spoken about but I’ve seen it again and it’s a bizarre incident that doesn’t go our way and I felt there was a lot that didn’t go our way today.”