Walter Mazzarri insisted Watford could take some positive signs for the future from his final match in charge.
The outgoing Hornets boss endured a torrid send-off as his injury-hit side were thumped 5-0 at home to Manchester City.
Sergio Aguero scored twice while Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus were also on target for the Champions League-bound visitors.
Mazzarri handed a full debut to 19-year-old Brandon Mason while fellow teenagers Andrew Eleftheriou and Dion Pereira came on as substitutes.