Tom Cleverley’s goal the difference as Watford edge out battling Burnley

Tom Cleverley marked his 33rd birthday with the only goal of the game as 10-man Watford defeated Burnley to move top of the Sky Bet Championship. Captain Cleverley slotted home on the stroke of half-time to put the Hornets ahead in a match between two teams looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation last season.

Hassane Kamara was shown a straight red card for a professional foul nine minutes from time but the Clarets could not get the better of the home goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and succumbed to their first defeat under Vincent Kompany. Watford handed a first start to the former Spain defender Mario Gaspar and an immediate debut to the Leicester loanee Hamza Choudhury, while summer signing Manuel Benson started for the first time for Burnley.

Sign up to The Fiver

Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football

There was no sign of the Nottingham Forest-bound Emmanuel Dennis in the Watford squad, however, with his move to Nottingham Forest “progressing”, according to the Watford manager Rob Edwards. Watford have also loaned the forward Ashley Fletcher to Wigan for the season.

The heat was likely a factor in the low quality of play early on, with Ismaila Sarr, scorer of a wondergoal from the halfway line at West Brom last week, blasting over the Burnley bar. Fortunately for Watford Cleverley was not as profligate when he was presented with his chance in first-half stoppage time, and he slotted home to put the hosts ahead.

Sarr found Ken Sema in space on the right of the box and his cutback was perfect for the Watford skipper to sidefoot in from 12 yards. Cleverley was hurt by a challenge in the act of scoring, however, and did not reappear for the second half.