Hull boss Liam Rosenior saw Daniel Bachmann dent the Tigers’ play-off hopes – then heaped praise on the Watford keeper after the 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road.
Bachmann saved Ozan Tufan’s 11th-minute penalty to rob City of vital points in their push for the top six.
Rosenior spared Tufan any criticism for the miss, insisting Bachmann deserved all the credit for keeping City at bay.
The manager said: “Their keeper was magnificent. You just have to hold your hands up. There was the penalty stop and three or four other world-class saves.
“But no blame on Ozan. He’s been brilliant all season. He’s brave and he will take the next penalty.
“I was pleased with the response of the whole group after that. We never gave up until the final whistle. I can’t fault this group – I’m so proud of them.
“The players worked themselves into the ground and never gave up. They’re a credit to this club and a credit to the shirt.”
Hull continue their quest for the top six on Wednesday away to FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry.
They lie six points behind sixth-placed Norwich having played a game less and Rosenior added: “Norwich dropped points today and they will be as flat as we are.”
Turkish forward Tufan, rejected by Watford in 2022 after a loan spell, faced a barrage of abuse as he prepared to take the kick in front of the home end.
Watford’s defenders also encroached as they complained that the ball was not on the spot.
But Austrian stopper Bachmann remained calm and dived low to his left to save.
Watford interim boss Tom Cleverley, beaten just once in his seven games in charge, restored Bachmann to the team when he took over last month.
He said: “I don’t know how much homework has gone into that or whether Dan dived into the archives of penalties against us, but it was a fantastic save.
“He showed his real worth today. I knew his worth from playing alongside him for all those years – not only on the pitch but in the dressing room.
“He’s massive for me. He’s come in for some unfair criticism but we have full belief in him and we know how important he is to the squad.”
But Cleverley was not happy with a Watford performance that saw the Hornets fail to get a shot on target in the first 60 minutes.
They have not won at home in the league since November 28 – 12 matches – and Cleverley said: “We were flat for an hour. We need to make things happen, not wait for them to happen.
“I must change the mentality. From the first minute we must grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
“But we’ve played five of the top seven and we’ve made them all work hard to get points off us.”
Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool: Jota's early strike enough to down hosts
Diogo Jota's early goal was enough to secure Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Portuguese forward netted after just nine minutes at Selhurst Park, darting in behind to pick out the bottom-left corner on his 100th start for the Reds in all competitions.
It could have been a different story though, as Eddie Nketiah had a goal ruled out for offside in the first minute, setting off too early before he dinked Alisson.
The Eagles pushed for a late equaliser but could not breach Liverpool's backline despite their late flurry of chances.
A sixth victory from seven matches moves Arne Slot's side four points clear at the top of the table before title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City play later on Saturday, while Palace remain without a win in 18th.
Data Debrief: Slot continues flying start
Liverpool have won all four of their away games under Slot so far, with the Dutchman just the fourth manager in Premier League history to manage the feat.
He is also the first Reds manager to win as many as nine of his first 10 games in charge (L1).
Palace showed some late fight, but it was not enough to flip the script and earn their first win of the Premier League season, with this their longest winless start since 2017-18.
Luis Enrique defends decision to drop Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique does not regret dropping Ousmane Dembele for disciplinary reasons for their midweek Champions League defeat to Arsenal.
Dembele has stepped up to lead PSG's attack this season after Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid, scoring seven goals and adding four assists in all competitions.
However, the France international was left out of Luis Enrique's squad for Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, where they only managed two shots on target in a flat attacking display.
It was reported that Dembele's omission was the result of a dispute with Luis Enrique, who stands by his decision to leave him out.
"When a player doesn't meet their obligations, this is the sort of thing that can happen. Everything is now in order," Luis Enrique said ahead of Sunday's trip to Nice.
"I'm tough when I have to be tough and more permissive when it is needed. That is one of my big skills as a coach and as a person...
"Every player has a series of obligations to meet, so every player who does that is available.
"If they make a serious mistake, I will make the right decision, whether it is easy or difficult. I have no issue in doing that even if it seems difficult because we always think about what is best for the team."
Ligue 1 leaders PSG are unbeaten with 16 points, ahead of Monaco on goal difference.
"We're doing well. After analysing the game [against Arsenal], we've changed our mentality and we're back in league action, ready to compete. That is a good thing because if you lose, there is a game straight after," Luis Enrique said.
"We are imperfect, we will improve but I am certain that this team will fight in all competitions. If we replay this match against Arsenal, at home at the Parc des Princes, perhaps the result will not be the same."
Nice are ninth under new coach Franck Haise and Luis Enrique believes his side face a daunting task in breaking down a defence that has only been breached six times.
"They have a well-known coach with a personality that he instils in his teams... They play at a high level, so it will be difficult. They press high up the pitch and are strong on the ball," he said.
"They defend well and it will certainly be tough. It has always been a difficult place to go but we are motivated to continue doing what we are doing to stay top of the table."
Kompany relishing 'special game' when Bayern travel to Frankfurt
Vincent Kompany is relishing a "special game" when Bayern Munich face Eintracht Frankfurt in a battle of the Bundesliga's top two teams on Sunday.
Bayern top the table with 13 points after their first five games, with Eintracht just a point behind after recovering from losing their opener with four straight wins.
However, Kompany's side travel to Deutsche Bank Park seeking a response after two winless games.
After their perfect start to the Bundesliga campaign was ended by a 1-1 draw with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen, they went down 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Kompany is only looking forward.
"It is a special game in Frankfurt against a very tough team," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. "They have a lot of young players with a lot of talent, so the team can grow.
"For us, it is a normal game. We have to get our points and keep going in the Bundesliga. I am only focused on the next game.
"It is always important after every game, win or lose, to say the game is now behind us and now comes the next game. We have a lot to take into our next game and that should be the reason for our success."
Once again, Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala, who remains sidelined with a hip injury, and Kompany hopes to have the Germany attacking midfielder available as soon as possible.
"We know how good and how important Jamal is for the club and Germany," the Bayern head coach added. "He is a young player and our total priority is to get him back fit and stay fit."
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