Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic has labeled striker Troy Deeney as Premier League quality after their 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

Deeney scored his 20th Championship goal of the season as Watford defeated their fellow promotion rivals to move up to the third spot on the tier two table, level on points with second-placed Norwich City.

After the match Jokanovic said: "Troy is a Premier League player - the question is whether we're a Premier League team."

Of the Hertfordshire club's title or automatic promotion hopes this term, the Hornets boss was quick to play down their current position.

"I decided many months ago and I didn't want to talk about where we'll end the season," Jokanovic added.

"There are 15 points in front of us and I prefer to think about the next game.

"We must be prepared and we don't have space to be arrogant and think we have easy games ahead of us."

Deeney also made history by becoming the first Watford player to score 20 goals in three successive seasons.