In a difficult game against Premier League leaders Manchester City, Watford did well to frustrate their opponents in the first half, but ended up losing 3-1.

A 13 minute period in the second half saw the Hornets lose their focus at the back following a controversial offside decision, with Raheem Sterling capitalising to net a swift hat-trick.

Here's how we rated the Watford players' individual performances.

Ben Foster - 6

During the first half Foster stood up strong to several City attacks and did a good job of irritating the home supporters with his time wasting tactics.

However, in the second half there was little he could have done to keep Sterling's first two efforts out, but he might feel he could have done better with the third.

Daryl Janmaat - 7

The Dutchman has done well in the absence of Kiko Femenia and rightly kept his place in the starting lineup. He put in an heroic tackle on Sterling in the first half and again looked a good source of attacking threat.

His impact waned in the second half and Sterling ultimately got the better of him, but he put in a solid enough performance to suggest he could be in line to start in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday. 

Christian Kabasele - 6

One of seven changes to the starting lineup, Kabasele looked resolute and strong at times and battled very well.

He kept the defence organised and was a key figure as Watford held their shape in the first period. 

He might not look back on his part in City's third goal too favourably as he was beaten by Sterling with ease, but he prevented a fourth later on with a brilliant challenge on Gabriel Jesus.

Miguel Britos - 6

Britos showed his reliability once again, as he returned to the starting lineup in what has been an inconsistent season for the defender.

Much like the rest of the defence, he did as well as he could have in the first half, but switched off a bit in the second and failed to make life difficult for the City forwards. 

Adam Masina - 5

Javi Gracia showed his faith in Masina by bringing him back into the team for the first time following his somewhat disastrous performance against Liverpool.

However, the Italian offered little resistance for the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Kyle Walker and regularly allowed the City players the kind of space that saw Trent Alexander-Arnold get three assists for Liverpool a week and a half ago.

Kiko Femenia - 5

Following a period on the touchline with first an injury and then illness, Femenia was always likely struggle on his return against a side of Manchester City's calibre. 

He completely lost Sterling for the second goal and rarely looked up to scratch on what was ultimately an off day for the full-back.

Etienne Capoue - 6

In lieu of Troy Deeney in the starting lineup, Capoue was handed the captain's armband for the game and kept his side both organised and compact for the most part. 

Against the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo and David Silva, he had his work cut out and in the end couldn't inspire his side to produce an upset.

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6

Doucoure battled well in the centre, but mainly had a tough afternoon with his side on the back foot.

He wasn't able to find the kind of space he thrives in and as a result his marauding runs forward were missing from the game.

Tom Cleverley - 5

With the home fans jeering the former Manchester United player whenever he got the ball, it was up to him to silence them.

However, he got booked early on, regularly gave the ball away and went missing for large parts of the game.

His usually sharp passing and quick decision making were absent and he made life a bit easier for the home side.

Isaac Success - 6

The Nigerian was deployed out on the left, in a make shift wing back position. 

During the first half, he looked to be one of Watford's better attacking threats and used his strength well against Kyle Walker.

He couldn't get into the game as much in the second half and was replaced just after the hour mark.

Andre Gray - 6

After his heroics against Leicester, Gray will have been pleased to have earned a place in the starting lineup. However, his game suffered by having to adapt to a different tactical set up.

He was forced to drop deep and pitch in with defending and looked isolated up front in the early stages, without Deeney there to combine with.

It was always likely to be a difficult afternoon for Gray and a lack of chances hampered his performance.

SUBS

Troy Deeney – 6

Despite grabbing an assist with his first touch of the ball, Deeney had little opportunity to influence the game beyond that point.

His leadership and boisterousness were a miss in the first half.

Gerard Deulofeu – 6

As with Deeney, Deulofeu failed to have an impact beyond his consolation goal.

He notably gave the ball away which almost resulted in City adding a fourth, but other than that, struggled to stamp any authority on the match.

Craig Cathcart - N/A

Joined the game too late to make an impact.