Javi Gracia hails ‘amazing’ Watford win after fightback stuns Derby

Watford head coach Javi Gracia described his team’s first away win since February as “amazing” as they staged a stunning comeback to beat Derby 3-2.

Derby lost top-scorer Carlton Morris to injury but led at half-time through Dion Sanderson’s first goal for just over two years.

They looked comfortable when Sondre Langas headed in his first Derby goal from a superb Joe Ward free-kick.

But a smart finish from Luca Kjerrumgaard gave Watford hope and Edo Kayembe converted a penalty in the 85th minute when Ward tripped Nestory Irankunda.

Kayembe completed the comeback three minutes later by heading in a corner and Gracia said: “It was tough and to win after a long time without winning away, of course we are really happy.

“The way we did it after conceding two goals, we kept doing our job and followed the plan, so at the end the three points is something amazing for us.

“I’m really happy for my players because they showed a great attitude. I think we played a good game. Knowing Derby County was coming from five wins in a row (we knew) it would be very tough for us so I’m very proud of all my players.

“We need to manage these young players because they are very good, they have many skills, but we need to compete as a team and this is something we have to improve on and try to grow as a team.

“To be sure today to win away is something amazing for us. The players are really happy in the dressing room, they are celebrating, it’s something they have been looking for for a long time and psychologically I think it’s really important to keep doing the things with confidence in the right way.”

For Derby head coach John Eustace, it was a lesson in staying focused throughout the game.

He said: “When we went 2-0 up I felt we were very comfortable, but the manner in which we conceded the three goals was very disappointing.

“It was a lack of concentration and decision making in key moments. We need to be at it for the full 95 minutes, whether you are 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 up, you can’t allow teams back into games.

“To go to ground for the penalty was really poor decision-making, that’s the second game in a row now we’ve given a penalty away and given a team an opportunity to punish us.

“And then to concede the way we did from a set-piece is really poor and something we’ve got to learn from.

“The players are down and quite rightly so. We are all disappointed we didn’t win the game, because I felt we did enough to do that. To lose is very frustrating, but the boys will be determined to put things right.”

On Morris’ injury, he said: “Carlton is in a bad way unfortunately, so he will be off to get a scan and then we’ll have to see from there.

“He got body checked off the ball and fell awkwardly. He’s been a top performer for us so we’ve maybe got to find a different way to do things without him in the team, hopefully it won’t be too long.”