Sean Dyche took delight in Burnley's performance despite their numerical disadvantage in their 2-1 defeat to Watford.

The former Hornets manager had no issue with Jeff Hendrick's dismissal but felt that if his side had 11 men on the field then the outcome of the game would have been different.

After the midfielder had been sent off in the sixth minute for an over-the-ball foul on Jose Holebas, the visitors were trailing 2-0 at the break to goals from Troy Deeney and M'Baye Niang.

But Dyche saw his charges show an increased willingness to try and take the game to their hosts after the interval and Ashley Barnes' penalty gave them hope of salvaging what many would have said would be an unlikely draw at half-time.

"I don't usually over praise the side but I thought they were fantastic, particularly in the second half," the Clarets boss said.

"The early blow of getting a man sent off but then another blow before half-time, the mentality to see through that and still respond to the challenge and still take the game on, to try and win it, I thought was absolutely outstanding.

"11 versus 11, with the way we performed today, we would have probably won the game."

Asked about Michael Oliver's decision to send Hendrick off, Dyche respoonded: "It's a tough one. I think in the heat of the moment, the referee is under pressure to give it.

"When I look back on it, there's minimal physical contact but let's make it clear, his foot hits the top of the ball. But what can the referee do nowadays? I think he has to send him off."