Watford 1-2 Manchester City: Player Ratings

Joe Hart (7.0): Hart was strong with his punches and had impeccable positioning throughout the game. He was unlucky to concede, as he would probably have kept out Ben Watson's inswinging corner had Kolarov not gotten the slightest of touches on it.

Bacary Sagna (8.0): The right-back was brilliant against Watford, working like a champ on defense and regularly joining the attack. His cross to Sergio Aguero for the winner was as simply gorgeous. Sagna's discipline on defense is complemented by his work rate when City are in possession.

Eliaquim Mangala (7.0): Mangala was terrific against Leicester City, and he came up with another strong performance in this game. Odion Ighalo has emerged as one of the Premier League's best strikers this season and had seven goals in the past six matches heading into this clash. Mangala dealt with the dangerous attacker well.

Nicolas Otamendi (6.5): Otamendi had a decent game. Watford's pace up top has given their opponents all sorts of trouble this season, and City managed to keep the home side off the board in the run of play.

Aleksandar Kolarov (6.5): His work at both ends of the field was good but wildly average by his standards. He was quite unlucky on the own goal, but City put the pieces together to get the result in this one.

Yaya Toure (7.5): The big man drilled one home to draw City level on 82 minutes. It was a world-class goal, as he gained separation from the defender and connected for one of the goals of the season. His night overall? Pretty typical. He sauntered around and did his thing before reminding everyone he can be one of the best in the world when he is in the mood.

Fernandinho (8.0): The Brazilian is as cool as they come in that holding midfield role. When City have spells of beautiful play with the ball or tactically sound play without the ball, much of the credit ought to be given to Fernandinho. The guy just feels the game so well, and he was certainly a bright spot during what was a challenging night on the road.

Kevin De Bruyne (7.5): He can hit a ball. With each passing minute, KDB was looking more and more like the top candidate to tie the game. While he did not score, his deliveries were predictably beautiful and his work rate was impressive. The only question mark here involves his ability to create from wider areas as compared to from more central areas. Both he and Sterling thrive in the middle of the park, but David Silva is the true CAM of the bunch.

David Silva (7.5): His movement was fluid and his passing was nice per usual. He is still regaining his superpowers, though, as he was not standing out from the crowd as he sometimes does.

Raheem Sterling (6.5): Against Leicester, Sterling excelled in a central role. He was far quieter against Watford and was subbed with a half-hour remaining. Sterling's future looks so bright, but he has been a bit streaky in his first season with City. He faded into the background in this game and was not clicking with his teammates like he was just a few days ago.

Sergio Aguero (7.5): Well then. Aguero's evening was nothing spectacular. A contribution here. A contribution there. But nothing spectacular. Then, he did what he does. He snapped a headed into the corner and helped turn one point into three in a dramatic ending.

Substitutes:

Jesus Navas (7.0): He helped facilitate possession and was industrious as always. The Spaniard came on for Sterling after an hour.

Wilfried Bony (6.5): He replaced Mangala in an offensive-minded substitution by Manuel Pellegrini. His impact was muted, especially because -- in the blink of an eye -- City were suddenly in the lead.

Martin Demichelis (6.0): The Argentine entered the fold late in the game, as City tried to preserve the lead. It was crazy how quickly this game changed. One moment, Pellegrini was taking off Mangala for Bony. The next, he was putting a center-back into the match to try to hang onto the three points.