Watford 0-0 Brighton: Wasteful Seagulls fail to pounce on Marco Silva's 10-men after Miguel Britos sees red for horror challenge on Anthony Knockaert

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Miguel Britos committed possibly the worst challenge that will be seen this season, then had the audacity to protest his innocence and argue as he walked to the tunnel.

Watford were down to 10 men for more than an hour after Uruguayan Britos went airborne to stick his studs into Anthony Knockaert, receiving a third red card in his last 20 Premier League matches.

Gary Lineker labelled it the 'most horrendous' challenge while former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks said: 'I have not seen a tackle like that in 40 years.'

Referee Graham Scott brandishes a straight red card to defender Miguel Britos (left) for a challenge on Anthony Knockaert

The Watford defender tries to protest his innocence but to the dismay of him and Richarlison is ordered to leave the field

Britos receives a straight red card after rashly diving in with one foot in the air to challenge Brighton forward Knockaert

It looked worthy of a red in real time and even worse with each replay. 'It's a red card,' said Watford manager Marco Silva. 'A fair red card as well.

'It was a really important moment of the match. It changed everything in the way we play.'

Did Britos at least apologise? 'It's not important what he said,' Silva said. 'He talked to his team-mates and what he said we keep in our dressing room.

The 25-year-old looks in pain after being on the receiving end of Britos' tackle and requires the physio's assistance

Knockaert narrowly misses the goal and looks frustrated after his shot cannoned back out off the post

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE

Watford (4-3-3): Gomes 7; Femenia 6.5, Prodl 7, Kabasele 7, Britos 3; Doucoure 7, Cleverley 7.5, Chalobah 6.5; Richardlison 5.5, Gray 5.5 (Deeney 83), Amrabat 6 (Cathcart 28, 6) (Caprillo 47, 6)

Subs (not used): Pantilimon, Success, Watson, Capoue 

Sent off: Britos (24)

Manager: Marco Silva 6

Brighton (4-4-1-1): Ryan 6; Bruno 5.5 (Rosenior 45, 6), Dunk 6, Duffy 6, Suttner 6; Knockaert 6.5 (Izquierdo 80), Stephens 6, Propper 6, March 6.5; Gross 6 (Murphy 90); Hemed 6.5

Subs (not used): Maenpaa, Huenemeier, Sidwell, Skalak 

Booked: Bruno

Manager: Chris Hughton 6

Referee: Graham Scott 7

Attendance: 20,181

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Britos' three Premier League red cards in his last 20 matches

'One experienced player like him… it's impossible to lose your control and emotional balance. I will talk to him.'

As for Brighton, they will consider this two points dropped rather than one gained.

The Seagulls hit the woodwork twice and have now failed to score in their first three league fixtures for the first time since 1928-29.

Their single point takes them out of the Premier League's relegation zone but the tackle remained the talking point for Chris Hughton afterwards.

'I haven't seen it again but I don't think I need to,' Hughton said. 'It was a two-footed dangerous challenge that has caught Anthony. It's not as if it's missed him.

'I knew at the time that it had caught him. I don't need to see it again. I knew straight away it was a red card. Anthony was lucky.'

Rather than take to the posh seats inside Vicarage Road, Brighton chairman Tony Bloom opted to sit among the away supporters.

The professional poker player would see the referee's cards help his team here, but the newly-promoted side simply couldn't stick the ball in the back of the net.

There was a lot of animosity aimed at Knockaert from Watford's fans, who had not forgotten what he did to them in 2013. That was when the winger dived to win a penalty for Leicester in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Vicarage Road.

Marco Silva's Watford team link arm in arm as they stand in a team huddle before kick-off at Vicarage Road

Brighton captain Bruno brings down Brazilian Richarlison with a trip and receives a yellow card for his troubles

Nathaniel Chalobah nearly opens the scoring for the home side but his header is partially blocked and then cleared

Davy Propper tries his luck from outside of the box but his goal-bound effort is blocked by the charging Chalobah

Brighton's Pascal Gross battles with Christian Kabasele for possession during the first half at Vicarage Road

Knockaert came close to opening the scoring on his return in the 16th minute when he curled a left-footed shot towards the far corner, only for the woodwork to save Watford.

Brighton wanted a penalty moments later when a shot by Davy Propper deflected on to the arm of Sebastian Prodl. The away support screamed for a spot-kick — including Bloom, who took off his cap to wave in disgust — but it would have been harsh.

The deserved dismissal of Britos arrived in the 24th minute. Knockaert was chasing a loose ball on the right wing when Britos leapt at last season's Championship Player of the Year.

Half-time substitute Liam Rosenior leaps above Richarlison to win the ball and head up the pitch for Brighton

Heurelho Gomes comes out off his line and punches the ball clear before Knockaert has the chance to head in

Lewis Dunk dispossesses Abdoulaye Doucoure with a well-timed sliding tackle midway through the second half

He hit Knockaert just below the knee and referee Graham Scott did not hesitate to show Britos where the tunnel is.

Brighton hit the post again in the 37th minute when Tomer Hemed met a cross from Solly March. So close, so far.

Hughton felt his side should have had a penalty in the second half after a high boot from Abdoulaye Doucoure on Knockaert, who was in the wars. The man in the middle gave them an indirect free-kick instead.

'It should have been a penalty,' Hughton said. 'You only have to look at Anthony Knockaert's nose to see that there was contact.

Brighton new boy Jose Izquierdo came on for his debut and battles with Chalobah for the ball

Brighton full back March cleverly cuts back and fools Doucoure before crossing the ball into the Watford box

'The referee was not sure if there was contact so he couldn't give it. I spoke to him. He wasn't sure.'

The match day programme included a profile on Raphael Dwamena, the 21-year-old who was supposed to be Brighton's new £10million striker.

A failed medical meant Brighton had to pull the plug on that transfer on Friday and how they could have done with a goalscorer here.

They are off the mark, at least, and are simply thankful their main man Knockaert is not sidelined for a lengthy spell.