Quique Sanchez Flores refused to be disappointed with a point from a goalless draw against champions Chelsea and admitted it would have been impossible to imagine the Hornets controlling the game beforehand.

Watford had the better of the first half against the champions and ought to have made their superiority pay.

Etienne Capoue, with a first-time shot on the run, and Odion Ighalo, with a downward header, went closest to giving the hosts the lead in a promising opening period.

But a combination of Thibaut Courtois’ reactions and poor finishing kept the Golden Boys at bay.

Chelsea improved after the break and it took two fine saves from Heurelho Gomes – pushing away efforts from Branislav Ivanovic and Diego Costa – to secure a second draw against the Blues this season.

Asked afterwards if he was disappointed to take one point rather than three, Flores replied: "Disappointed? No, no. We don’t know this word at Watford.

“We are really happy. We are enjoying the experience of being in the Premier League. We are never disappointed with the performance of the players.

“We have a lot of reasons to be happy today because we were very competitive against Chelsea.

"It’s very difficult because they have amazing players with a very good level, not just technically but physically.

“We tried to play football in the first half. We tried to create attempts and we had control of the match – it would have been amazing to think that before the match.

“I am very pleased with the performance of the players. I got the impression the fans were very happy with the players. They enjoy every single match.

“To take one point and be in the top half, I think we have a lot of reasons to be happy.”

Flores was especially pleased with the way his side had controlled proceedings at Vicarage Road against a side who, despite their lowly position in the Premier League table, boast quality throughout their ranks.

He said: “In the first half we tried to play football very well and we created attempts.

“We felt safe in the second half but in the last minutes it was very difficult because their physical power is amazing.

“They put a new player (Eden Hazard), who was very fresh, in attack in the second half. It was difficult but we deserved to take this point against Chelsea.”