Sean Dyche was delighted his Watford side were able to “take off the shackles” at half time and come from 2-0 behind to beat Burnley 3-2.

The Hornets were extremely poor in the first half at Vicarage Road and went into half time 1-0 down after an Adrian Mariappa error led to Jay Rodriquez’s opener.

The home side started the second half better but still went 2-0 behind through a Nyron Nosworthy own goal.

But Watford responded superbly and goals from Nosworthy, substitute Alex Kacaniklic and Troy Deeney helped secure a spirited comeback.

Dyche said: “I have mentioned several times this season that we are looking to build a playing staff that can challenge every week but we are looking to build a mentality and I think the mentality was fantastic second half.”

Dyche agreed it was a game of two halves in terms of his side’s performance.

Watford failed to keep possession during the first half and lacked a cutting edge for much of the opening period but in the second half that changed.

He said: “They had the better of the first half without a shadow of a doubt but it is important you refocus as players and that is sometimes the magic of half time – you are able to refocus the players.

“Despite conceding an own goal, the players came out for the second half and you could tell the feel of it. They played with more freedom and players wanted the ball.

“I spoke to them about it at half time. There was no shouting, it was just a case of telling them to relax, take the shackles off and play. That is exactly what they did.”

One of the most concerning aspects of the first half was Watford’s failure to keep possession and Dyche was pleased his side put in a more composed display after half time.

Dyche said: “Sometimes that (keeping possession) is built off first contact, second balls and the general feel of the game. Once you then get through the hurly burly of the game, then it is about composure. We couldn’t find it first half whereas second half it was obvious to all here that we found the pass and we moved the ball better.

“Then the whole feel from then on was fantastic. To come from 2-0 down – having given them the first and an own goal for the second – was excellent.”