Show-stealer Cleverley is all the rage with Silva

side. A goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure in the first half put Watford ahead before Daryl Janmaat doubled their lead and sealed a comfortable victory.

But it was one-time Manchester United man Cleverley who took Silva’s plaudits.

Silva said: “Tom today was really amazing, but for me it wasn’t a surprise. He works hard every day.

“He played this afternoon like he works. Every day he does the same and he prepares his body for that. And that’s why he can play well in the matches.

“It’s important for me to support him and give something to our players to help them at this level, and I am really happy with what he has done until now but I am sure he will want more.

“It is a pleasure for me to see but we only got three points. Now is the time to recover.”

Doucoure fired Watford ahead in the 38th minute when the Frenchman drilled in a low shot from outside the area to leave

Watford enjoyed a league win over Southampton for the first time in eight attempts (W1 D3 L4); their first since October 2008 (3-0 at St Mary’s).

Southampton have failed to score in nine of their last 12 Premier League matches – including three of their four games so far in 2017-18.

Watford have kept a clean sheet in three successive Premier League games for the first time since October 2016. both teams had failed to find that early breakthrough Southampton keeper Fraser Forster scrambling in vain to his left.

Saints should have equalised through Nathan Redmond on the hour but the winger wasted his chance – striking only the side netting from close in.

Five minutes after coming on, ex-newcastle defender Janmaat punished Redmond’s miss as he found the bottom corner from 25 yards to put Watford on easy street.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino handed a debut to £15million defender Wesley Hoedt but insisted that wantaway Virgil van Dijk will come back into the first-team set-up.

The Dutch international has not featured since January because of an injury and he spent pre-season training alone as he tried to fight his way out of the club.

But Argentine Pellegrino said: “Virgil is coming from a long period of time without playing and that is my concern.

“He will play on Monday for the reserves.”