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.
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka told BT Sport: ”I’m very happy for the three points. I’m happy I helped the team. It’s been a long time since I’ve scored.
“It was a 50/50 game in the second half. United were pressing us but we will take the three points.
“I like to score against United. I’m very happy. Arteta told us to take the fans with us and we did.”
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
I still can’t believe Fernandes missed that penalty.
He ovethought it and tried to be too clever which saw him hit the post. Ramsdale had even gone the wrong way so if he put some power behind it, it would have brought United right back into the match.
Have a look at the shocker:
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
What a season this has been for Mikel Arteta. People were calling for his head at the start of the campaign with an awful run of form but Arsenal displayed faith in their manager and he has paid them back.
It will be crucial for the Gunners to get back into European football after not qualifying for the first time in 25 years.
It’s a very different story at United who won’t take anything from this season. Is that due to them bringing in an interim manager instead of investing in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the rest of the season? Maybe. But it’s a long road back for the club who dominated for so long.
Full-time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
Arsenal have gone fourth with a huge 3-1 win over United.
Tavares and Saka saw the hosts take a good lead but Ronaldo halved the scoreline in the first half.
Fernandes missed a penalty in the second half and Ramsdale saved a great shot from Dalot. They soaked in the pressure and Xhaka sealed the result.
United will be lucky to get Champions League now witht he battle firmly between Arsenal and Spurs now.
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United, 90 + 3 mins
Odegaard has been named Man of the Match with his work in the background helping his team to this famous victory.
Ronaldo gets a yellow for a challenge on Tomiyasu, the frustration even reaching their best player.
A good point for United is that their performance has been much better than what fans saw against Liverpool. While Arsenal supporters will be hugely encouraged by their continuation of good form after their win over Chelsea.
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United, 90 +1 mins
Arsenal continue to close this game out, they are keeping the ball and maintaining the game in their half.
United do manage to build something with Ronaldo sending the ball in but they can’t get the last touch away.
There are fourminutes added as Tomiyasu makes he way onto the pitch with Cedric making way.
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United, 85 mins
As things stand Arsenal are fourth with this win but Tottenham will play Brentford later where they will look to restore themselves in the Champions League qualification spot.
Ronaldo is still at the centre of United as he is almost on the end of a good cross but he’s just offside.
Yet more cards raining down on this match as Lindelof getting booked for a challenge on Nketiah.
Odegaard, who has had a cracking match, gets into a great position to feed the box but United smother the ball.
The visitors make yet another change as Fernandes comes off for Mata.
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United, 80 mins
Matic fouls Nketiah and Arsenal have a goal kick and the cameras pan to the touchline as United look to make changes.
Lingard and Rashford will be called into action in the next break of play. Before they come on Fernandes is booked for a challenge on Tavares. VAR are checking the tackle, it’s a late one from the United player but he stays on the pitch.
The England internationals are called into action as Matic and Elanga come off.
McTominay goes down with Elneny getting a yellow card for the foul.
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United, 75 mins
The VAR are checking to see if Nketiah was blocking De Gea’s eyeline in the build up to Xhaka’s hit. The check is over and the goal stands, it was such a great strike!
The Emirates have somehow got even louder after that goal.
Saka has signalled to come off as his thigh is giving him trouble. He’s been taken off for Holding, hopefully Saka’s injury doesn’t keep him out of action for the rest of the season.
If United don’t win here it would be their fourth away defeat, something that hasn’t happened since the 80/81 season.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United (Xhaka, 70’)
A beautiful ball from Saka sees him thread the ball through two United defenders but no one is in the box to collect.
But the ball comes back out and Xhaka pounces. It slides through the United defence like butter. Wow, what a hit!
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