Two goals in the final eight minutes saw Manchester City nick an unlikely win at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening but what did we learn about Watford from another galling defeat?

Three games in a week took it out of the Hornets: An expensively-assembled City side had caused Watford few problems – save for one spell in the first half when they were in control – when they levelled superbly through the otherwise ineffective Yaya Toure.

It was a wonderful finish from the Ivorian but a poor goal to concede from Watford’s point of view with Toure ghosting between Jose Holebas and Odion Ighalo to volley home at the near post.

The winner was equally frustrating for the hosts. Sergio Aguero, again a peripheral figure in the contest, somehow got between Craig Cathcart and Allan Nyom to nod home Bacary Sagna’s cross.

Both goals were well taken but having defended so resolutely for 82 minutes the Hornets switched off twice and were punished.

In the Championship three games in a week isn’t out of the ordinary but in the Premier League it only happens at this time of year.

Quique Sanchez Flores said prior to the Christmas period he would rotate his squad accordingly and although he has made a handful of changes the spine of the side has stayed the same.

When asked afterwards if fatigue played a part in the late turnaround he was quick quash the suggestion.

Nyom in particular looked tired by the end. It’s little wonder. Watford’s game is based on energy and high pressing. They might not have been physically drained by the end but mentally they had to be because they switched off for both goals – most unlike this Hornets side.

With hindsight would Flores have made more than one change to protect a slender advantage? Perhaps bringing Valon Behrami into midfield would have tightened things up for the final ten minutes and injected some energy.

Watford are earning genuine respect from the Premier League’s elite: This isn’t a case of meaningless platitudes about anyone beating anyone. The Hornets are making the top sides really think about how they approach games now.

City changed from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Wilfried Bony in place of centre-back Eliaquim Mangala. They won. Tottenham Hotspur switched from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1 to stifle Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. They won. Manchester United changed shape numerous times when they visited Vicarage Road in order to finally get a foothold. They won.

It’s no longer a case of turning up just being enough for the top flight’s stellar names.

No-one has enjoyed an easy afternoon against Flores’ side this season and nor are they likely to.

Granted Arsenal won comfortably when they visited WD18 but only when, by the admission of Heurelho Gomes, Watford gave up after shipping the first.

Now it's time for Watford to show exactly why they're earning others' respect by picking up a few more points off the top sides.

Jose Holebas still has plenty to offer: The Greek international appeared to be in the deep freeze at Vicarage Road before the festive period but a solid display at Chelsea on Boxing Day was built upon against City.

The experienced left-back has been a victim of Nathan Ake’s success. Now, though, he has the chance to underline his own credentials with the Netherlands international suspended for two more games.

He wasn’t flawless against Manuel Pellegrini’s side but he showed he is more than capable of doing a job and won the praise of his head coach afterwards.

Comfortable going forward and dogged defensively, the former Roma man doesn't look like a player who hadn't started a game since August until a week ago.

It seems unlikely Ake won’t be restored to the starting XI once his suspension is over but from being third choice behind Ikechi Anya, Holebas had re-emerged as a legitimate option for Flores.

Jose Manuel Jurado is an exquisite talent: The Spaniard looked a victim of the change of system a couple of months ago. Now the diminutive playmaker is surely one of the first names on Flores’ teamsheet.

The switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 saw Jurado moved from number ten to the wing in order to accommodate him.

He struggled initially but after injury and whilst still acclimatising to English football that is understandable. Now we are seeing the best of a player who has real pedigree.

His star is rising by the week at Vicarage Road. He linked up well with Holebas on Saturday, looked a threat going forward and kept the ball moving by always being one step ahead of City’s players in possession.

He was always neat and tidy but the former Atletico Madrid man now has the confidence to affect games.

Ben Watson is keeping Valon Behrami out the side on merit: The former Wigan Athletic midfielder was the natural successor to Behrami following his red card against Swansea City but question marks remained as to whether he could hold his own in the Premier League in the long term.

Behrami has since been out injured but as impressive as the all-action Swiss midfielder was at the start of the season, the form of Watson has softened the blow of losing him for an extended period.

Watson had played in the top flight before with the Latics but wasn’t a regular at the DW Stadium last season when he joined on a free transfer.

However, he became an indispensable part of Slavisa Jokanovic’s side last term and is doing the same again under Flores.

With Watford’s 4-4-2 outnumbered against City’s 4-2-3-1 in midfield it was Watson who ensured the Hornets were not flooded in midfield by sitting deep and, at times, almost playing as a third centre-back.

He won possession in the nick of time on countless occasions and got through so much work to screen the back four alongside Etienne Capoue.

Flores is a big fan of Behrami and is adamant the former Napoli enforcer won’t leave in January. What is even more certain is Watson won’t give up his space in the team without a fight.