WATFORD opened the season with a with a win thanks to Roberto Pereyra’s stunning volley pulled off a training ground set piece routine.

The Argentinian bagged himself a brace in a 2-0 convincing win over Brighton, picking up the Hornets’ first three points of the season in style. 

His opening strike was from a well-worked corner, capitalising on the chance to go ahead in the match after coming close on various occasions testing the Brighton defence. 

The home side were beaming with confidence after taking the lead and midfielder Will Hughes said: “ I think today speaks volumes of him [Pereyra]. He produces that week in week out; he’s a top quality player and today showed it. It was something we’ve done in training so it was good for it to come off. I’ve said since I joined I learnt a lot from him on the training pitch and on game days.”

Hughes was instrumental in the win in a right-sided midfield role, the England youth international admitting he prefers the more central role on the field but is just happy to be on the pitch after a lengthy injury spell ruled him out of a large chunk of games last season. 

“It gives me license to run inside which I enjoy,” he added. 

Watford got off to a promising start last season but tailed off and Hughes was first to admit the frustration but is using the experience as a lesson. “We know that as a squad and were not going to let that happen this year. You’ve seen today we dominated the game against Brighton.”

Abdoulaye Doucoure signed a new deal after attracting various clubs’ attention towards the end of the season and said he felt he “made the right choice.” 

“This season I’m very focused on Watford. I’m happy to stay here; I want to get the team as high up as possible. We are a very good team that doesn’t spend a lot of money.”

The midfielder feels the team are more settled with less change at the club in terms of players and manager, and feels “the fans know the players” now. 

Brighton left the ground deflated after a losing start to the season and striker Glenn Murray said: “ I don’t feel as if we got much service. We’ve lost one game, there’s 37 left so it’s not all doom and gloom but I’m disappointed right now.”