Alessio Dionisi was in no mood to underplay his side's importance after Watford claimed a 2-1 victory over Preston North End at Vicarage Road, labelling the three points "a very big result" in his post-match reaction.

A timely response from Watford

The win will have come as a significant relief for Dionisi and the Watford faithful, with the Hornets having endured a difficult period in the Championship before this fixture. The result ends what had been a testing run for the club and delivers a morale-boosting home success in front of their own supporters in Hertfordshire.

Watford were made to work for the points. Preston, who had their own wobble of form to contend with heading into the match, pushed the hosts all the way, and a 2-1 scoreline suggests there was little between the sides for long stretches. That the Hornets held on to secure all three points will have been the priority for the head coach, who has spoken previously about the need for solidity and focus throughout the full 90 minutes.

Dionisi's assessment

Speaking after the final whistle, Dionisi did not shy away from the significance of the result. "A very big result," was how he characterised it, according to the BBC Three Counties Radio interview, reflecting a sense that those in the Watford camp understood precisely what was at stake given recent form.

The Italian manager, who has been working to impose his preferred structure and ideas on the squad since his arrival, will have drawn particular encouragement from the way his side managed to close out the contest. Seeing a Championship game through when the margin is a single goal demands concentration and organisation at the back, two qualities that have been tested during Watford's lean spell.

What it means for Preston

For Preston, the defeat is another setback in what has been a turbulent period. Head coach Paul Heckingbottom and his group had spoken about maintaining confidence despite a poor run, but a loss at Vicarage Road will make that task harder. Preston had gone into the match having been boosted by the fitness of key players, according to earlier reports, yet the return journey to Lancashire is without reward.

The visitors' cause was not helped by an inability to convert enough of the pressure they applied. Pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 showed character, yet it ultimately proved insufficient to salvage anything from the trip south.

The bigger picture

In Championship terms, a home win of this nature can shift momentum considerably. With the division as tightly contested as ever, three points can move a club several places up the table or, just as importantly, create breathing room above the danger zone. Watford will be keen to build on this performance and demonstrate that the difficult run which preceded it is firmly behind them.

Dionisi is understood to have emphasised the collective effort in his dressing-room address, a signal that he expects the same level of commitment when the schedule resumes. For Preston, the task is to regroup quickly and find a response, with Championship fixtures coming in quick succession and precious little time to dwell on any single result.

Whether this proves a turning point for Watford or merely a temporary respite remains to be seen, but Dionisi's words after the final whistle left little doubt that everyone at Vicarage Road felt its weight.

Frequently asked

What was the score in Watford vs Preston at Vicarage Road?
Watford beat Preston North End 2-1 at Vicarage Road in their Championship fixture.
What did Dionisi say after Watford beat Preston?
Watford head coach Alessio Dionisi described the result as "a very big result" in his post-match interview with BBC Three Counties Radio.
How are Watford performing in the Championship this season?
Watford endured a difficult run of form before this match, making the 2-1 home win over Preston particularly significant for Dionisi and the squad.