Onel Hernandez has defended Emi Buendia following the Argentine midfielder’s costly error during Norwich City’s home defeat to survival rivals Watford.

Buendia's ill-judged back-heel allowed Gerard Deulofeu to give the Hornets the lead in just the second minute of Friday's painful loss, which left Daniel Farke's team bottom of the Premier League table.

Only Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne has more than the 22-year-old's four assists in the top flight this season, tying him with four other players, but he was taken off in the 62nd minute of the defeat.

"Mistakes happen, he is still a good player for us," said winger Hernandez. "We need him and we have to keep going on with him.

"He is normally a player who can create a lot for us, he can hold the ball, this is his game and sometimes it is like this, when you lose the situation. But it is how it is and we cannot change it now."

Hernandez has returned from a seven-game injury absence in recent weeks and was City's most dangerous attacker against the Hornets - but has taken little personal pride in that performance.

"I can play well but at the end of the day you don't have the points, it doesn't change anything," said the Cuban.

"To me it's very important that we win the games or have one point."

He added: "I want to give teams a lot of pain, with my pace, I want to hurt them and the next game is Everton and they have to feel us again."

It's been a busy time for the 26-year-old, whose first child was born earlier this month, the evening before he played 90 minutes during City's 2-0 loss at Brighton.

"It was very rushed, it was incredible, I don't even know if I can explain the situation," he reflected. "Everyone that has kids knows how it is, it's a very special moment.

"I'm so proud and so happy for my girlfriend and my little girl. All's going well and it's incredible, I can't really explain, it's amazing."

Asked if being a father will change him as a footballer, he joked: "You have a lot of responsibility and everything but it's lovely. Maybe for the next games I can be a captain - I shall look after my boys as well now!"