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Troy Deeney has Diego Maradona class, says Watford boss Walter Mazzarri

Troy
Image: Troy Deeney has been likened to Argentina legend Diego Maradona

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri has compared Troy Deeney's wonder-goal against West Ham to the skills of Diego Maradona.

The Hornets captain produced an exceptional strike, curling the ball into the top right corner from a difficult angle to score Watford's second goal in last week's 4-2 Premier League victory.

Mazzarri has become aware of Deeney's cult hero status at Watford in the same way his time at Napoli gave him knowledge of Maradona's significance in Naples.

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Ahead of Sunday's showdown with Manchester United, Mazzarri said: "What Deeney did against West Ham was a great goal.

"Only a few players can do it and one of them was Maradona. It was incredible, but what I ask from Deeney and the whole squad - but Deeney is captain - is continuity.

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"[Victory over United] would bring us three points closer to our objective. But an experienced coach like me knows the Premier League does not finish this weekend, so we will have to take it to the next game.

"If we happen to win, after two days of being very happy it's up to me to tell the players they immediately need to concentrate on the next game."

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Mazzarri on Friday spoke of his intention to invite United manager Jose Mourinho - a rival of his while the two worked in Serie A - for a post-game drink despite the tension that previously existed between them.

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Premier League highlights from Watford's 4-2 win at West Ham

Mourinho once described the Italian as a "donkey", while Mazzarri dismissed him for talking "so much rubbish". Yet since his arrival in England, Mazzarri has grown to appreciate the mutual respect he believes exists between managers, and said it is something from which Italian football can learn.

"In Italy sometimes, there are moments in the career of each coach, especially with new and young coaches who say one or two things that should not be said," added the 54-year-old Italian.

"I like the mentality here in the UK. Coaches in Italy should be more like that. Win or lose, you shake the opposition's hand. Even if I was in Italy now that's how I would act, like in the UK."

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