Watford now find themselves seven points from safety after their struggles continued with a 2-0 defeat at high-riding Leicester City.

The Hornets were organisationally and defensively better and showed greater right for the task in hand under interim head coach Hayden Mullins, but the Foxes were able to win at a relative canter after Jamie Vardy had scored a penalty 10 minutes into the second half and confirmed the win with a late James Maddison goal.

Here’s how we scored the Hornets at the King Power Stadium.

Ben Foster – 6

Made some good saves at close quarters but there were times when he could have commanded his area better.

Kiko Femenia – 4

A difficult night for the Spaniard who struggled with his positioning throughout.

Adrian Mariappa – 6

Had responsibility for looking after Jamie Vardy and did well for the most part. The Hornets centre-half got a break for the penalty decision in the first half, but his mistake let James Maddison through for the late second goal.

Craig Cathcart – 6.5

A typical Cathcart performance. Looked more comfortable in a conventional back four and made some key defensive interventions.

Adam Masina – 7

Watford’s best out-field player and had justifiable cause to feel hard done by for the penalty he conceded. A strong defensive display otherwise, capped by a superb last-gasp clearance to prevent a certain goal.

Ismaila Sarr – 6.5

Looked the most likely to create something for the Hornets with his pace giving Christian Fuchs plenty to think about. His decision making and end product need to be more consistent.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 4.5

His control and passing ability was again below par and continues to struggle to impose himself on games as he can.

Etienne Capoue – 6

Played a couple of eye-catching passes but was unable to control proceedings as he would have wished against one of the most effective midfield units in the Premier League.

Will Hughes – 5.5

Employed on the left side of midfield and rolled his sleeves up, helping to build the play in the final third when he had the chance.

Gerard Deulofeu – 4.5

Deployed behind Troy Deeney but his touch and passing was off throughout, although gave a flash of his quality from one superbly struck free-kick that only needed a touch at the far post.

Troy Deeney – 5.5

Looked understandably rusty on his first start since August and rarely got any change out of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu. He helped alleviate the pressure by holding up the ball and the Hornets did look better for having the skipper’s leadership qualities to call upon again.

Substitutes

Isaac Success – 5

Replaced Deulofeu for the last 15 or so minutes, but had few opportunities to bring his physicality to bear.

Domingos Quina – N/A

Came on for Hughes with seven minutes of normal remaining.

Andre Gray – N/A

Replaced Deeney for the closing stages.