Watford boss reacts to Troost-Ekong's early Christmas present to Maddison and Leicester

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri has had his say on William Troost-Ekong's blunder that gifted Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison the opening goal during his side's 4-2 loss at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigeria international was making a return to the Hornets starting lineup after he was an unused substitute vs Arsenal and came off the bench vs Manchester United, and did not cover himself in glory in today's clash.

With sixteen minutes gone, Maddison was delighted to receive an early Christmas present courtesy of a howler from Troost-Ekong.

The Watford number five ducked a long ball from Jonny Evans thinking that goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann would claim it easily but that unwise decision allowed Maddison to steal in and score.

For the fourth goal conceded by the Hornets, Adam Masina was down injured in the build-up to Ademola Lookman's strike.

Reacting to the two incidents, Ranieri said at the post-match press conference : "The first goal he was assured that there wasn't anybody behind him, William and the fourth goal Mazzina was tackled, he was down and they continued to play.

"That is normal because until the referee whistles you have to continue to play. Of course that part of the box there wasn't any of my player".

Watford have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their first thirteen matches in this season's Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : lcfc.com