Will Hughes says Watford only have themselves to blame for allowing a 2-0 lead slip as they fell to a dramatic 3-2 loss against Everton.

The Hornets looked set fair for a comfortable win on Merseyside after Richarlison and Christian Kabasele’s second half goals.

However, a horror show of a debut from Orestis Karnezis gifted Everton a route back into the game as Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin made the most of errors from the keeper to level.

Leghton Baines’ stoppage time penalty sealed the turnaround and left Hughes ruing Watford’s stunning collapse.

“There is a massive frustration on our part. They didn’t have to do anything special to get back in the game and it was an error from us,” Hughes said.

“That happens in games and it gave them a lot of momentum. From then on with the score at 2-1 and the crowd behind them, it is game on.

“We have to look at ourselves, considering how comfortable we were at 2-0 up.

“Everyone knows that 2-0 is a tricky scoreline, especially away from home. As soon as they got the goal it makes it difficult and we only have ourselves to blame.”

Watford should have taken at least a point from the game when Richarlison was brought down in the box for a penalty in the 10th minute of added time.

Tom Cleverley sent his spot-kick wide on his return to Goodison Park and along with Karnezis will not look back on the day fondly.

Hughes, though, refused to blame either player for the defeat and instead focused on the collective malaise which let Marco Silva’s side down.

“It is not down to Karnezis, and it is a group effort. Thangs that happen before the goal could have been avoided and that is where the error came from,” he said.

“Tom is disappointed and anyone would be when they miss a penalty. He has been brilliant for us this season and nobody is disappointed with him. These thigs happen and we move on.”

The loss comes at an inopportune time, with the international break meaning the Hornets’ first chance to bounce back comes at home against West Ham in a fortnight.

Hughes accepts that the prolonged layoff from action is tough to take, but says Watford will use the time to learn from their errors.

He said: “You always want to go into the break on the back of a win but we will take the positives from going 2-0 up.

“We need to look at the way we played then, but, again, we will reflect on the three goals we conceded and see where we can do better.”