Watford striker Troy Deeney says Wes Hoolahan dived to win a penalty that helped Norwich City to a  3-0 win at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The cagey encounter between the two promotion  contenders was separated when Hoolahan fell under a challenge from Michael Layun, allowing Lewis Grabban to give Norwich the lead.

Subsequent goals from Cameron Jerome and Grabbain ensured the Canaries went above the Hornets, leaving Deeney unhappy with the penalty incident.

 “It’s a dive,” said Deeney. “Wes told us he dived, during the game and after. And that is frustrating. These things keep going against us.

“Fair play to the ref, he said if he (Hoolahan) has done him, then he has done him. But the fact he is in the wrong means nothing to us.

“To be honest, we are probably better just playing with the referee. I am not sure what the linesman does anymore except to give throw-ins and signal which way it is going.”

The Watford striker suggests the Hornets have been unfortunate with referees this season and believes greater accountability is needed.

“If I don’t score, people question me. So if refs keep making bad mistakes, who is questioning them?”

“They are humans and will make mistakes. But we are made accountable. If somebody elbows somebody and it isn’t seen, there is retrospective action and there is a three-game ban.

“Referees keep making mistakes but it doesn’t matter because they get another game next week. Where is the fairness in that?”