Watford boss Tom Cleverley believes his side's win against Sunderland is a "massive" momentum changer for their early-season fortunes.
The Hornets are seventh in the Championship table, leading into the next round of matches on Tuesday and Wednesday - when they travel to Preston.
The 2-1 victory over the Black Cats, sealed by an 84th-minute penalty from Tom Dele-Bashiru, extended Watford's unbeaten run at Vicarage Road to 10 matches.
"We're now looking at the first seven games as a really good start," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"It was a massive momentum swinger for us, this one.