Scott Dann was delighted Crystal Palace managed to fend off Watford’s attacking threat to record a clean sheet at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Despite only gaining promotion to the Premier League last season, Watford have coped well with the top flight so far this term.

The Hornet’s had lost just one of their six outings before the 1-0 defeat to Palace, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo establishing themselves as one of the most feared offensive duos in the country.

Ighalo, 26, had already netted four league goals this season and Dann was delighted the Eagles kept him at bay.

“We needed the clean sheet,” he said.

“We could have had a couple already this season, but we concentrated and made sure we saw the game out.

“We knew it was going to be tough because Watford hadn’t conceded at home so far this season, so it was nice to keep a clean sheet.

“It was a bit scrappy at times but we dug in and got the three points, that was the main thing.”

A Yohan Cabaye penalty, won by second half substitute Wilfried Zaha, was enough to claim the three points, but Palace’s defence was tested throughout the Premier League clash.

Dann, 28, put in an excellent shift for the visitors alongside Brede Hangeland, after returning to Alan Pardew’s starting XI for the first time since suffering a groin injury.

“I hadn’t trained for ten days, so it was touch and go whether I was going to be fit,” the defender added.

“I managed to train on Saturday so I was delighted to just get through the game and with three points – that was the most important thing.”

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