OPINION - Five Thoughts after Watford's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Two goals in two minutes for Manchester City saw them undeservedly claim all three points at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Quique Sanchez Flores' side put in a fantastic performance and didn't stop running all game. They got their reward for their efforts by going 1-0 up ten minutes after half time, after Ben Watson's corner was deflected into the back of the net by Aleksander Kolarov's shoulder.
A famous win looked to be on the cards with ten minutes to play, but goals from Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero saw the Citizens walk away from Vicarage Road with three points in their back pockets.
After attending Saturday's game, here are five of my thoughts:
1 - Hornets so unlucky.
We all would have taken four points heading into this tough run of fixtures which saw the Hornets face Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City all in a row? So it shows how far Watford have come in such a short space of time that we are disappointed that the Golden Boys don't have more points to their name, following an agonising defeat to Manchester City at Vicarage Road. In the end, two moments of quality from two players who cost more than this whole Watford squad put together cruelly won it for Manuel Pellegrini's men, following a fantastic performance from the Hornets. Yes, we could have done better defensively for the second goal, but we should admire the quality of the cross from Sagna and the finish from Aguero. It was cruel on the Golden Boys, as the players gave it everything they had and some were left dead on their feet at the end.
But an initial sense of disappointment quickly changed to a sense of pride. Little old Watford just gave the richest team in the country, a right run for their money and undeservedly succumbed to a defeat. Wind back four seasons ago and we were all hoping for a mid-table finish in the Championship. Nicking a point against one of the top six in the Championship was deemed a brilliant result. The thought of being in the Premier League didn't even cross our minds. How times have changed. Now we are bemoaning a defeat to Manchester City and currently sit in ninth position in the top flight. Everything about the club has changed for the better. We should be proud of how the team performed on Saturday and how far this club has come. The club that means so much to us all has changed significantly changed for the better.
If we can replicate that performance on a regular basis, I'm certain we will secure a mid-table finish in the Premier League.
2 - Ben Watson impresses once again.
Every game you think it's impossible for Ben Watson to get any better than he has performed in recent weeks. But he does and Watson was phenomenal yet again for Watford on Saturday. The midfielder was literally everywhere. He constantly hassled Manuel Pellergrini's men in possession and never gave them a moments piece. The former Wigan Athletic man screened the back four well and put in some good tackles. He kept play ticking over nicely, keeping the ball well and playing some good passes. He wasn't afraid to get forward and forced Joe Hart into a smart save after half time with an effort. After coming close against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, Watson's in-swinging corner finally found the back of the net, albeit via Kolarov's shoulder and it's a shame that the midfielder won't be credited with the goal. It's been said a couple of times, but Watson really is our ginger Iniesta. With the form he is displaying at the moment, he is right up there for me in the Player of the Season vote.
3 - Holebas impresses on his return to the side.
After an impressive display against Chelsea, Jose Holebas returned to the starting line-up against Manchester City following Nathan Ake's suspension and the Greek international didn't disappoint. He took a while to get going and was left out of position a couple of times during the first half after Watford lost the ball in the final third, but he recovered well and put in an excellent performance. He kept Sterling under control during the second half and also dealt well with Jesus Navas when he came on in the second half. Communicated well with the defence and was up-and-down the left flank all afternoon. His marauding runs caused problems City problems and at one time, he turned into Lionel Messi, as his nifty footwork moved him away from a couple of City players, before he unleashed a powerful effort with his hammer of a left foot which Ighalo couldn't get out of the way of. The Greek international also delivered some good crosses and has a great eye for a pass. On the whole, it was an impressive performance from the former Roma left-back. When was the last time Watford had two quality left-backs on their books?
4 - Jurado puts in his best performance in a Watford shirt
Yesterday's game was barely a minute old when Jose Manuel Jurado sent Yaya Toure for an ice cream, with a fantastic piece of skill that left the City captain dumfounded and that set the tone for the rest of the Spaniard's performance. Without a shadow of a doubt, it was Jurado's best display in a Watford shirt and he was the Hornets' creator in chief. The Spaniard caused City a number of problems, with his skilful and marauding runs into the centre of the park. Retained the ball well and wasn't afraid to help out defensively as well. In fact, I would go as far as saying that the Hornets missed the little Spaniard when he was substituted late in the second half. It was definitely his best display in a Watford shirt.
5 - Abdi works his socks off.
Almen Abdi must have found things hard at times this season. He's not a natural winger but he's embraced the role. Against City on Saturday, he put in an excellent performance. The Swiss maestro was enjoying some freedom down the right during the first half and was unlucky to see his powerful long range effort fly over the bar inside the opening minutes. He was up and down the right flank all afternoon and always tracked back to help Allan Nyom in defence. Played some good passes and put in some good tackles. Worked hard all game and looked knackered at full time.