Watford's 1-0 win at Middlesbrough yesterday, their first in three games, is unlikely to be listed in the annals of time as a classic.

More than 800 hardy Hornets made their way to the north east for the televised lunchtime kick-off at the Riverside, and were rewarded as Walter Mazzarri's side picked up their third win of the season, lifting them to 10th in the Premier League table.

Neither side ever got into gear but a rare moment of magic was provided by Jose Holebas and proved enough to win a game without a clear-cut chance chance forged by either side.

Here's how we rated the Hornets at the Riverside:

Heurelho Gomes - 7
In terms of saves, nothing to report beyond a few powder-puff efforts. Most of Boro's attacks came from out wide, and he had no issue in dealing with balls into the box.

Younes Kaboul - 6
Caught in possession too many times in the first half, but improved after the break and did make some important challenges in either half.

Watford Observer:

Sebastian Prodl - 7
As mentioned, with most of Boro's attacking impetus - what there was of it - coming from out wide, Prodl was a steadfast figure in the middle of defence. Alvaro Negredo is a better striker than he looked on Sunday but he barely got a sniff.

Miguel Britos - 6
A no-nonsense performance from the Uruguayan, who did well to help repel any real coherent attack down the left.

Nordin Amrabat - 6
Difficult to mark him down for it as it was presumably a tactical thing, but tucked in far too much before the break, allowing George Friend, arguably Boro's only decent outlet on the day, miles of space to pick out passes. Something changed and he filled the space later on before being subbed.

Etienne Capoue - 6
Another who was tidy but unremarkable, and rarely brought the ball forward with any great intent as he has done in the early part of the season.

Watford Observer:

Valon Behrami - 5
Did not really click into gear, and while Middlesbrough were frustrated by the visiting defence, they were given time outside the box on a number of occasions - including Ben Gibson's 25-yarder before the break, and Adam Forshaw's strike from a similar distance after it.

Roberto Pereyra - 7
Looked better than he has in recent weeks and was the most lively of the Watford midfield, always looking to move goalwards and played a part in what was nearly the move of the match when Watford hit Boro on the counter-attack in the second half.

Watford Observer:

Jose Holebas - 7
Some hit-and-miss deliveries, as Watford won numerous free-kicks in good positions down the left. Found his way forward with the ball more after the break - and scored a superb goal on one such occasion.

Isaac Success - 6
Very quiet in the first half, partly as every time he got the ball he seemed to get fouled, and generally by Antonio Barragan. Offered more after the break and had one nice move where he fired a shot at Victor Valdes.

Troy Deeney - 6
Useful, but not in the way he would have liked; as a lone striker he was starved of support and after half an hour started dropping deep to get the ball. He did it well, but he won't have much to remember from his afternoon.

Substitutes
Camilo Zuniga (for Amrabat, 72) - 7
Came on and offered more of an outlet on the right with a couple of darting runs forward which had been surprisingly lacking from Amrabat's performance.

Christian Kabasele (for Britos, 85) - N/A

Ben Watson (for Success, 89) - N/A