Defender Jose Holebas insists Watford can take heart from the fact their first Premier League defeat came at Manchester City and believes they can learn from the result.

The former Roma defender continued at left-back after being withdrawn at half-time of the Hornets’ goalless draw at home to Southampton on Sunday.

However, it took just two second-half minutes at the Etihad for £49 million man Raheem Sterling to break the stubborn resistance of Quique Sanchez Flores’ side, tucking home at the near post after ghosting into the penalty area to meet Bacary Sagna’s right-wing cross.

A second goal from Fernandinho wrapped up the points for City, who extend their winning run to ten consecutive Premier League fixtures since April – a club record.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have already beaten title holders Chelsea 3-0 at the Etihad and speaking after the game, Holebas was keen to accentuate the positives from the Golden Boys’ first defeat since a 1-0 reverse against Ipswich Town on March 21.

He said: “We are newcomers here. We have drawn three times and now lost for the first time against Manchester City. We did not lose against say a Southampton or Stoke City, we have to look at it like that. We can learn from this, especially the young boys. In the end, we can only do better.”

The Greek international continued: “You can lose to Man City. This is a very strong team who have very big players. The world is not going under.”

After a strong defensive showing in the first half which had seen the home side fail to find a way past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, it was the Citizens’ first attack of the second period which finally forced the breakthrough.

Holebas felt that goal, so soon after the restart, changed the complexion of the game and left the Hornets facing an uphill struggle.

“I think it changed the game for us because we were already very deep,” he explained. “They scored the goal and you have 1-0 in the back of your mind and it is more difficult stepping up.

“It was tough for us, I have to say. The system was completely different today, it was the coach’s decision and I think we did really well in the first half.”

Flores set the Hornets up with Jose Manuel Jurado the most advanced player, flanked by skipper Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo.

To a point it worked. The Hornets were never overrun during the first period and the high work-rate of Deeney and Ighalo protected both Holebas and Allan Nyom at full-back.

Addressing the change of system, Holebas said: “The thinking first of all was to clear our lines and be focused because we know they have some fast players. I already know Jesus Navas from the Champions League and he was not so problematic, let’s say.

“They pressed us really high and it was difficult to defend all the time. Quique changed the system and put Deeney and Ighalo out wide and it was a little bit different.

“But after 45 minutes we were on zero then the goals we conceded were unlucky. We lost the ball in the middle, they played out wide fast, crossed it and we cannot we be letting the ball pass low in front of us.

“It was difficult to come back when we were standing so deep, especially against Manchester City.”