Post Match Reaction: Watford 2 Swansea City 0

Post match reaction from Watford manager Xisco Munoz, Swansea boss Steve Cooper and Hornets defender Craig Cathcart.

Watford manager Xisco Munoz congratulated his players after concluding the Championship season with a 2-0 victory over Swansea City at Vicarage Road.

Swans boss Steve Cooper focused on the positives from his side’s defeat in Hertfordshire.

Breaking their record for the most home wins in a Football League campaign, Watford goals courtesy of Andre Gray and Isaac Success saw the Hornets win for the 27th time this season.

Munoz made six changes from the side who lost to Brentford last weekend. Ben Foster, Marc Navarro, Achraf Lazaar, Carlos Sánchez, Phiip Zinckernagel & Isaac Success replaced Daniel Bachmann, Francisco Sierralta, Adam Masina, Tom Cleverley, Will Hughes & Joseph Hungbo.

Cooper made four changes from the team who beat Derby County last time out. Andre Ayew, Marc Guéhi, Jay Fulton & Conor Hourihane replaced Morgan Whittaker, Ben Cabango, Yan Dhanda & Korey Smith.

Watford threatened the Swansea goal early as Ken Sema found Zinckernagel in the penalty area. Whipping a ball into the path of the winger, the Dane failed to steer his effort on target.

Ben Foster made his first contribution moments later in Hertfordshire. Standing strong to deny Ayew, the Hornets shot stopper kept the scores level at his near post.

The Golden Boys’ number one was quickly called into action again as Swansea searched for an opener. Forced into a smart save, Foster denied Matt Grimes’ fizzing shot.

A must win game for the Welsh outfit in their play-off push, Liam Cullen was next to try his hand at goal for the visitors. Heading wide shortly after the half an hour mark, the forward could not connect cleanly as the chance was squandered.

The hosts responded as Zinckernagel dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area. Played in by Sánchez, the winger missed the target by some distance as the first half drew to a close.

Swansea’s Cullen was quickest out of the blocks after the re-start. Taking aim as he picked up from Jama Lowe’s dragged back pass, the front man’s strike flew over Foster’s crossbar.

Watford’s Gray broke the deadlock as he nodded the Hornets ahead in the 56th minute. Latching onto Sema’s cross, the striker made just enough contact to find the back of Freddie Woodman’s net from extremely close-range.

Munoz made a double substitution in the 65th minute. Joao Pedro and Hughes replaced Sanchez and Zinckernagel.

Cooper made four changes with 25 minutes to go in the last regular Championship game of the season. Wayne Routledge, Smith, Dhanda and Oliver Cooper replaced Cullen, Grimes, Lowe and Ayew.

The hosts made a second change with just under 20 minutes left to play as Watford captain Troy Deeney returned from an achilles injury to replace Gray.

On the hunt for an equaliser, Swansea attacking midfielder Dhanda cut inside and struck with his side trailing as the game reached its closing stages.

Achraf Lazaar attempted to double his side’s lead late on. Sending a thunderbolt Woodman’s way, the Moroccan was unlucky not to write his name onto the score sheet.

Success concluded Watford’s season in style as he doubled the Hornet’s lead in the 87th minute. Giving Woodman no chance as he pulled the trigger, the Nigerian was clinical with his finish.

Xisco Munoz:

“I can only say congratulations to the players,” he said.

“I’m lucky that everyone has worked so hard in the last four months. I think you can see that our team have one idea, have very good things and this is amazing.

“The team is ready for next season. This is the moment now to enjoy the holiday’s and prepare for next season.

“Elton John always has a big passion for the club. He is a big legend who put the name of Watford across the world.

“It’s important when big personalities come in the dressing room and show everyone about the passion for one club.

“He is one fan more and he gave us support before the game today. He congratulated me after the promotion was sealed.

“It’s another bit of good news that Troy [Deeney] is back. Everyone was working for his comeback.

“Troy worked very hard to come back. All of the players understand the team spirit.

“Today I can say thank you to Troy because I know that he worked very hard to play today.

“We played another set of different players and they gave the big level.

“I am lucky with my squad. Everybody knows that Troy will play in the Premier League.

“They work very hard and try to give different things. They work every day to try to give the maximum for our club.

“I remember when we were in our difficult moment, everyone stayed more together. We were in our difficult moment together, we kept going and we will continue with the same attitude and the same work.

“I want to learn about the Premier League, I want to know all of the details. I am ready, of course.

“I want rest now; I need to rest. I will go back to Spain and I will come back after with full power and big energy.

“Everybody knows about the quality of Isaac [Success]. I think Isaac is a very good player. He’s had bad luck with injuries.

“I am very happy to end the season with a goal for Andre Gray and Isaac.

Steve Cooper:

"Congratulations to Watford, they've done brilliantly this year," he said.

"I didn't think we deserved to lose the game, but at the same we didn't do enough to win it.

"The performance was good, we got into loads of great positions to threaten the goal, and we didn't and they did with the two goals, and that ended up being the difference in the result.

"I've just said to the players, I liked so many parts of the performance, apart from the final bit and often the most important bit. The stats behind the game show that.

"It's something to focus on going into a couple of big games in the semi-finals.

"There were some planned changes as well that we wouldn't normally make and it was a bit of a difficult one for the players knowing that they didn't want to run the risk of getting a red card or even an injury.

"I thought it was a good game. I really liked our performance but we have to be more clinical."

"We've been to Barnsley, as everybody else has this year, and they deserve a lot of credit for being where they are and for the second half of the season they've had.

"It'll be a really tough game. We know how hard it's been to get into these play-offs in these current circumstances and scheduling.

"So the four teams that have got there are going to be a really good outfit, including us."

Watford defender Craig Cathcart:

“There was a little frustration with the injury I got. I missed a bit of the season and then the lads were doing so well when I came back, so it was difficult to get the chance to play.

“To make an impact in the last few games has given it a sweeter feeling to the end of the season and obviously getting promoted is massive.

“As a defender, you want to keep as many clean sheets as you can and to break a record is amazing.

“All in all, I think it’s been a really positive season, especially since the manager has come in. We’ve picked up a lot of wins and got ourself into second position. We’re looking forward to the Premier League next season.

“Xisco [Munoz] changed the formation. We were back three most of the start of the season and then we changed to the 4-4-2 and then again to 4-3-3 which really suited us. We pushed up the pitch, pressed higher and I think that made a big contribution to how we finished the season so well.

“The last Premier League season was a strange one with the way it just stopped. I think we would have probably stayed up if it was a normal season. It wasn’t to be in the end and this season was a massive job to bounce straight back and it’s not easy.

“To bounce back straight away is a big credit to the players, staff and everyone involved in the club.

“Next season is going to be massive for us. The Premier League is not going to be easy. We will obviously enjoy the promotion now and we’re ready for the challenge.

“The key is to get off to a good start next season.

“All season I think our defence has been very good. We have quality all through the team, but the depth we have at the back will definitely be a big help next year and will definitely be needed next season.

“It’s been a massive miss not having fans and it would have been nice to have them here. They are a massive part of the game and hopefully they can come back and enjoy the Premier League season.”