Javi Gracia believes the manner in which Watford defended in the 2-0 win at West Ham United and the way they have performed against the other ‘big six’ clubs this season offers encouragement going into tonight’s clash with Chelsea.

The Hornets kept a first clean sheet in eight outings against the Hammers and they have proven to be competitive in all their games against the PremIer League’s leading teams this season, the highlight being when they came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.

Looking ahead to the challenge of facing the Blues after Saturday’s win, Gracia said: “It’s not easy because they have a very good mechanism to attack. They have very good players, different options, but to get a clean sheet today is something good for us.

“It shows to us that working together with the solidarity we had today we can defend well and like (Manchester) City for example. We lost 2-1 but at the end of the game we had some chances to get some points.

“We know it’s difficult but at this moment I think we are able to compete and to get options to win.”

Playing Chelsea beneath the Vicarage Road lights holds fond memories for Gracia after last season’s 4-1 victory in his first home game in charge, but the Hornets head coach was keen to focus on the present as his side aim for a third consecutive victory.

“It was my first game playing at home and it was special, but it’s the past,” he said. “Now is another game, it’s different and we know it will be very demanding for us because we are playing against one of the best teams in the league.

“We don’t have much time to prepare for the game, only one day to recover and to prepare for the game in a couple of days. We’ll try to be ready.”