Tom Cleverley said his Watford side "shot themselves in the foot" after they ended with nine men in their defeat to automatic promotion-chasing Burnley.
After falling 2-1 behind, Watford had captain Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe sent off within nine minutes of each other, and after both received two yellow cards in quick succession.
"Moussa is experienced enough to hold his hands up. He has done in the group there," he said.
"He knows better not to react to these things. He was disappointed with how the referee spoke to him [for his first booking for dissent].