WATFORD manager Claudio Ranieri was left frustrated by his defence on Friday night.
The Hornets took the lead against Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium but the hosts scored two late goals to turn it around and win the Premier League clash 2-1.
Nigeria forward Emmanuel Dennis netted his seventh league goal of the season to give Watford the lead in the first half.
However, Pontus Jansson equalised in the 84th minute with a towering header, before Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong dived in late to give away an added-time penalty that Bryan Mbeumo converted to break Watford’s hearts.
Ranieri, who led Leicester City to their first league title in 2016, was clearly not pleased with how the game ended, and promised he will look for immediate improvement in midweek.
“We knew it was a difficult match, we started well, we scored a goal, but we were too nervous,” the Italian said in his post-match interview.
“It wasn’t the same Watford, when we wanted to keep possession and move quickly.“It’s important to not make mistakes. We conceded two stupid goals. The last goal is three mistakes.
“That’s football, that’s the Premier League, but now we need to focus on the next match. We lost the first battle, but there are so many more in front of us.”
Watford face fellow strugglers Burnley next and Ranieri is focused on that game, although he still mentioned positives from Friday’s defeat.
“I was very happy [in the first half], we weren’t playing how we usually play but we were winning the match,” Ranieri explained. “Then, in the second half, slowly we went too deep. We gave some chances to them.
“My frustration has passed, now my mind is on the next match. There are other battles and we are stronger than tonight. That was my message to the players: it’s very important to react immediately.“I want to say thank you to the fans, their support was amazing and I was very sad for them.”
Watford are 17th in the Premier League table with 13 points, three points above the relegation zone.
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