Watford 4 Leeds United 1: Hockaday blames Bellusci for loss as Leeds suffer dramatic collapse

Leeds were level at 1-1 in the 57th minute when Belussci was dismissed for a professional foul on Fernando Forestieri that prompted a dramatic collapse by the Whites who finished the game with nine men and on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.

Hockaday was later on the verge of being sacked before Leeds owner Massimo Cellino changed his mind.

Asked in his post-match press conference if Bellusci had to carry the can for the defeat, Hockaday replied: “Yes, he knows that.

“I’ve told him in no uncertain terms, he’s apologised to the team for what it’s worth but it’s something I can’t legislate for with regards to the coaching.

“The players are taking on board the way we want to play, I think everyone can see that. We’re trying to turn this big ship around which is going to take time but moments like that don’t help.”

The sides were level at the interval after Forestieri’s opener had been cancelled out by a Gabriel Tamas own goal, but the game swung in the hosts’ favour after Bellusci’s dismissal.

A mix-up in the Leeds defence gave Forestieri the opportunity to break on goal, only for him to be fouled from behind by Bellusci.

Referee James Linington had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before brandishing a red card, and Deeney comfortably dispatched the spot-kick.

The excellent Forestieri then made it 3-1 in the 67th minute, latching on to a Munari pass on the left side of the penalty area and evading challenge after challenge as he jinked his way across the 18-yard box before finding the bottom corner via Marco Silvestri’s right-hand upright.

Watford added a fourth in injury time when Tozser fired home a superb 30-yard free-kick, before Leeds were reduced to nine men when Byram was shown a straight red card for elbowing Pudil.

Leeds’s rare moment of delight came in the 32nd minute when Billy Sharp’s low cross from the right was turned into his own net by Tamas.

Hockaday said: “Up until the penalty I thought we looked very, very comfortable.

“I thought we were passing the ball well, frustrating them, they were getting very frustrated and animated on their bench, they were changing things.

“I thought we came here and did a very, very good job and played some decent stuff which I’m very, very happy with.”

Watford: Gomes, Hoban, Tamas, Angella, Paredes (Anya 55), Tozser, Munari, Abdi (Andrews 82), Pudil, Deeney, Forestieri (Ighalo 76). Unused substitutes: Doyley, Fabbrini, Vydra, Bond.

Leeds United: Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Pearce, Warnock, Tonge (Poleon 76), Austin, Bianchi, Antenucci (Smith 81), Murphy, Sharp (Cooper 62). Unused substitutes: Stuart Taylor, Wootton, Norris, Cook.

Referee: J Linington (Isle of Wight).