Manchester City vs Watford: Final Score 3-1, City cruise to another victory

Manchester City wasted no time in returning to winning ways in the Premier League after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Watford FC at the Etihad. The Blues were in complete control from start to finish and had no trouble getting the goals and the win, and maybe a new winning streak has started tonight.

FIRST HALF

Marco Silva surely had a plan to defend deep and frustrate City until his side had a chance to score, but after 35 seconds his plan was ruined by an exceptional team move from City that ended with Leroy Sané assisting Raheem Sterling for the opener. The early goal made City even better and the Blues began creating chance after chance, and an own goal by Christian Kabasele made it 2-0 for the hosts before 15 minutes.

With a two-goal lead againt a side that basically gave up in the first minute, City didn’t press as hard and looked to keep possession to run the clock out, but they dropped their intensity and allowed Watford to go forward and create two good opportunities with Andre Gray and Etienne Capoue, but Ederson made two fantastic saves to keep the clean sheet.

At halftime, a very strong performance from the Blues had them comfortably ahead and looking good for the win. They just needed to finish the job in the second half.

SECOND HALF

Watford showed absolutely no intention to get a goal in the second half and looked to concede as little as possible, and they allowed City to keep possession for what looked like 118% of the time. The Blues were wonderful with the ball, constantly creating chances and playing some beautiful football. They got a third goal as well when Heurelho Gomes failed to control De Bruyne’s cross and gave Agüero a tap-in.

Pep Guardiola was able to give John Stones, Fernandinho and De Bruyne an extra rest with early substitutions in the second half, and City simply waited for the final whistle to confirm the win. Andre Gray got a consolation goal for Watford late in the match, but it was nothing more than consolation.

It’s now 20 wins in 22 league matches for a City side that at the moment is 15 points clear at the top of the table as the league enters a little break. With 16 matches to go and City looking amazing tonight, it’s safe to say we’re very close to the title.

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones (Danilo), Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne (Bernardo), Fernandinho (Touré), D.Silva; Sterling, Agüero, Sané

Goals: Sterling (1’), Kabasele (13’ OG), Agüero (63’)

Watford: Gomes; Janmaat, Wagué, Kabasele, Zeegelaar; Capoue (Cleverley), Watson (Pereyra), Doucouré; Richarlison (Sinclair), Gray, Carillo

Goal: Gray (81’)