Man City vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Gabriel Jesus scores four
Follow live reaction after Man City thrashed Watford to extend their advantage in the Premier League title race
Four goals from Gabriel Jesus earned Manchester City a 5-1 win over relegation-threatened Watford on Saturday, a victory that moved Pep Guardiola’s side four points clear at the top of the Premier League standings.
With title rivals Liverpool not in action until Sunday against Everton, City were overwhelming favourites to put Watford to the sword at the Etihad Stadium, with a double from Jesus’ putting them 2-0 in front inside 24 minutes.
Watford then briefly threatened to make a game of it as French defender Hassane Kamara’s first goal in English football five minutes later brought the visitors to within one of City. However, a stunning strike from Rodri restored City’s two-goal advantage in the 34th minute before Jesus completed his first Premier League hat-trick early in the second half after converting from the penalty spot.
Not done there, the 25-year-old tapped home his fourth in the 53rd minute to complete the rout. City took their foot off the gas from there on in, with Tuesday’s Champions League semi final first-leg against Real Madrid in mind.
The comprehensive victory moved champions City on to 80 points from 33 matches played, four clear of Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby, while Watford head towards relegation, sitting 19th seven points from safety.
GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Watford (Jesus, 23’)
Cleverley does well to dispossess Sterling but it comes back out to De Bruyne.
It’s a pin point ball for Jesus who slams it home! What a team goal.
Manchester City 1-0 Watford, 23 mins
Chance after chance for City at the moment and it’s their final touches and Foster’s good work keeping them from doubling their lead.
Another corner for the hosts is sent in by De Bruyne but it ends in nothing. Laporte thought he was brought down but the ref says play on.
Dennis does so well to run around two defenders, he gets a pass away but it finds a City player. The Watford playmaker calls for a penalty but VAR looks and decides against.
Sterling has the latest opportunity for City but his cross is caught by Foster.
Manchester City 1-0 Watford, 18 mins
Foster does well to get to the ball before Jesus, City are just picking apart Watford’s defence. They are placing every pass and Sterling manages to dance around four defenders to get that cross in.
Again City are patient in their attack. No rushing. Just anticipating the chances will come and waiting for Watford to open up. This time Cancelo is the one to pounce with Foster making a cracking save.
Sterling wins a corner with De Bruyne the taker, again, he goes short but the hosts run the ball all the way back to their keeper.
Manchester City 1-0 Watford, 13 mins
Great work from Samir cuts out a cross from Cancelo as City easily pass the ball around, they have huge amounts of space to do what they want at the moment.
The great intercept did concede a corner with De Bruyne on the kick again. It’s headed away for another corner but this time Dennis does well.
Grealish fights for it back and gets it in the box but Fernandihno can’t get a clean shot away. This is one way traffic.
Louza’s sloppy pass sees another City corner with De Bruyne on it again, it’s headed away.
What a counter for Watford! It was almost a one-on-one with Dennis and Ederson but Zinchenko makes the metres and the tackle to stop the chance, a great defensive move!
Manchester City 1-0 Watford, 9 mins
City had retained possession ahead of that goal and were patient in their attack. Cancelo had pinged the ball into the box and it came out for Zinchenko who flicked it onto Jesus.
This could be a very long afternoon for Watford. Hodgson has never been relegated from the top flight but it is looking more and more likely he will be this season.
City have a corner and De Bruyne takes the set piece, Watford deal well with it and contain the threat.
Cleverley then cuts out a dangerous cross from Cancelo. Fernandihno gets a shot away but Foster collects well, it’s all City in these early stages.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Watford (Jesus, 4’)
Well that didn’t take long did it?
Zinchenko gets a great cross in and Jesus gets a one touch finish.
Kick-off! Manchester City 0-0 Watford
So here we go!
Can City blow Watford away or can the visitors shock the defending champions?
Manchester City vs Watford
The teams have been out for warm-up and they will re-emerge on the pitch shortly for kick-off at 3pm.
The favourites are City but it will be interesting to see what the final score is. If Watford can keep the score down, or even hold City heading into half-time it will be a win.
But from City’s Brighton match earlier this weekend, you need to be alert for the full 90 or they will make you pay.
Manchester City vs Watford
We move from the Emirates to the Etihad now as table toppers Manchester City face off against Watford.
The team news is up with both managers revealing their starting XIs.
Pep Guardiola will be looking to extend his lead at the top of the table to thwart Liverpool who are chasing the defending champions.
City: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Fernandinho (C), De Bruyne, Jesus, Grealish, Sterling.
Meanwhile Watford need a win to keep hopes of staying in the top flight alive. They are currently seven points away from safety.
Watford: Foster, Ngakia, Louza, King, Cleverley, Kamara, Sissoko, Samir, Sarr, Dennis, Kabasele.
Kick-off just ten minutes away.
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
The match was an absolute thriller, especially in that fast-paced first half and we shouldn’t forget Ronaldo scored his 100th Premier League goal in the match.
But the Gunners just porved too much for United.
If you want to re-live any of the action, read Miguel Delaney’s report from the Emirates:
Arsenal best Manchester United to keep pace in top-four race
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: Goals from Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka secured what could prove to be a big three points in the battle for Champions League qualification
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