Watford's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City was an "uphill task" according to midfielder Will Hughes, who was disappointed with his side's inability to create or take chances during the match.

The first chance of the games fell Hughes's way after Aymeric Laporte's headed clearance fell to his feet, but he snatched at the chance and scuffed it wide.

From then on the Hornets sat deep and invited pressure from the visitors who went on to find the net four times, twice through Raheem Sterling in the first-half and through Phil Foden and Laporte in the second.

Speaking to the club website after the game, Hughes said the second goal, just before the half-time break, took any remaining wind out of the Hornets' sails.

“It was an uphill task against them, but we should have made more of the chances we had,” he said.

“We knew we were always going to have less possession, but the second goal kills it just before half-time.

“It’s frustrating that we’ve had opportunities and not taken them, but now we have one more game to finish the job.”

Watford go into Sunday's game with Arsenal in the relegation zone, essentially needing a win and results elsewhere to go their way.

Hughes knows the players have to do their job to be in with a chance of Premier League survival.

“We’re massively disappointed with the result. Now we have to rely on others, and we have to go to Arsenal and win,” he said.

“When we cross the white line it’s up to us to perform. The spirit is still there. It’s everything to play for going into last game and we have to give it everything we’ve got.”