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Marco Silva praises Watford spirit after 10-men earn a point against Brighton

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Watford manager Marco Silva says Miguel Britos’ red card looks like a fair decision having seen replays of the challenge.

Marco Silva praised the character of his Watford players after they held out for over an hour with 10 men to draw 0-0 with Brighton.

The Hornets started brightly at Vicarage Road but momentum swung towards the visitors when Miguel Britos was sent off for a wild challenge on Anthony Knockaert on 24 minutes.

However, despite Brighton having plenty of possession around the Watford box, the home side deservedly held on for a share of the points.

"It was a tough game, a really tough game," said Silva. "We started very well. In the first 10 minutes we started like we prepared and we had two clear chances to score. Brighton had to react and they had a good chance as well. After then, the red card. And everything changed in the match.

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Watford 0-0 Brighton

"Our players showed me a very good spirit, a very good attitude. At half-time we changed some things in our organisation. We worked together, showed good organisation. Brighton created more and more moments to finish. But that's normal. Our boys worked really hard and showed fantastic spirit."

Silva said he did not have a clear view of Britos' challenge on Knockaert but conceded "the information I have is [the red card] looks fair".

Marco Silva was pleased with Watford's resilience after going down to 10 men against Brighton
Image: Marco Silva was pleased with Watford's resilience after going down to 10 men against Brighton

After taking two draws and a win from the first three Premier League games of the season, Silva says he goes into the international break satisfied with his side's start - and hinted there may be some more transfer business to be done before deadline day.

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"I'm happy," he said. "I prepared this match to win. But it's a good result because we played [a long] time with 10 players. Now we look forward, it's the moment to rest, to analyse, do what we can, what we need and what I want in the market until the end."

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