Frank Lampard hails ‘clinical’ Coventry after 3-1 win over 10-man Watford

Frank Lampard praised his clinical Coventry side as the league leaders made it six wins in a row with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Watford.

Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jamie Allen set the Sky Blues on their way inside the first seven minutes before Tatsuhiro Sakamoto made it three.

James Abankwah was sent off for the Hornets before half time, while Imran Louza’s second half penalty proved to be nothing but a consolation.

Lampard said: “At the minute we’re clinical and we’re dangerous, and we’ve been more dangerous than today.

“Sakamoto’s cross is great for Brandon (Thomas-Asante)’s goal and Brandon’s positioning is something we work on a lot, and it’s great to see that recreated in a game.

“Then Jamie (Allen) to get his goal after coming into the team and the nature of Tatsu’s goal, a turnover that we go quickly and score, things we talk about a lot, so I’m really pleased with all that part of it. We’re working well as a team.

“It was a challenging game today because Watford are a good team, and pound for pound that squad’s a strong team in this league.

“There’s no doubt they’ve got a really good coach there and I think they’ll move up the league. It was a tricky game for us and I thought we did the job and we did it well.”

The Sky Blues had to rely on on-loan Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth who pulled off a string of saves to prevent Watford halving their deficit at 2-0.

Lampard continued: “He made great saves and we scored some great goals. That’s what I’m focused on.

“He’s made some good saves when called upon since he’s come in and he made very good saves when called upon today, so I’m delighted with him. It’s his job and he did it really well.

“We’re in a good moment but we’ve got to worry about ourselves, every game is a big challenge. Today was another challenge that we can tick off.”

Watford manager Javi Gracia rued his team’s missed chances, but claimed he was proud of his side’s spirit after they spent the whole second half with 10 men.

Gracia said: “If we analyse the game after the final result, I have to tell you we are really disappointed, because today we knew it will be a demanding game against the league leaders and it will be tough for us.

“After playing the second half with one player less, after managing the way we played in the second half, the way we competed in the second half, after knowing in the first half their goals are coming from soft mistakes – if we analyse all these things, I think I have to be happy with the spirit my team showed.

“They are a very good team, they create some chances, but to be honest I think we had the first clear chance but if you don’t take them you pay for that, and more so playing against a team like Coventry.

“If you see the stats, that tells you more about the game. 2.7 xG, Coventry 1.3. Second half, we conceded four shots, none on target, defending with 10 players, while scoring one goal and creating some chances.

“I think it’s something we have to be proud of but it’s not enough only to do this in some minutes of the game. You have to be able to do it during all the games, 100% concentrating.”