Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has claimed that Ben Watson's red card during their 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday was "unlucky".

The Hornets substitute was sent off with 14 minutes to play at St Mary's, forcing the visitors to hold on for a point in their opening match of the Premier League season.

"We were unlucky because it came in a moment when we were playing well," Mazzarri told Sky Sports News. "Unfortunately it left us with 10 [players] and didn't allow us to play our best way.

"At this moment I don't look too much at the point, I look at the performance of the team. I am happy with how the team performed.

"When our energy was at the top we played in a great way. Unfortunately we could have ended the game in the first half and we didn't do it and this is something that upsets us."

Watford's next Premier League fixture is a home game against Chelsea next Saturday.