Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has claimed that his side "deserved" their victory over struggling Hull City at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The Tigers had been set to end a run of five straight defeats with a point from the encounter, only for skipper Michael Dawson to deflect the ball into his own net with eight minutes remaining.

Speaking afterwards, Mazzarri told reporters that he believed his side should have already been in front before the own goal, having had 22 shots to the visitors' eight.

"We played well in the first half an hour, we deserved to lead," he said. "We had patience on the counter-attack and finally scored. The victory is deserved.

"They defended well, we knew they would defend. We were unlucky [and] should have scored at the beginning.

"I am very happy with how the team is playing now, giving me satisfaction. With how they are playing on the pitch, we deserve two or three points more at this stage."

The Hornets are now up to seventh in the Premier League and are undefeated in their last four games.