Manchester City vs Watford: Raheem Sterling hat-trick sends City four points clear at top of Premier League
Relive all the action from the Etihad
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Raheem Sterling scored a 13-minute hat-trick as champions Manchester City beat Watford 3-1 to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
There was an element of controversy over the England forward's first goal but his quickfire treble turned a frustrating game decisively in City's favour early in the second half.
Gerard Deulofeu did pull one back for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium but City held on to turn up the heat on closest challengers Liverpool ahead of their game against Burnley on Sunday.
Relive all the action below.
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Manchester City 2-0 Watford
57 minutes
Watford's game plan was clearly to leave the Etihad with a goalless draw. They've not left their own half since the break and City continue to keep possession with ease.
GOAL! Manchester City 3-0 Watford (Sterling)
60 minutes
And there's the hattrick! Silva plays a typically incisive pass in behind the defence and Sterling darts into the box. He cuts onto his right foot and dinks the ball over Foster. Watford have capitulated since the opening goal. This could quickly become a heavy defeat.
Manchester City 3-0 Watford
63 minutes
This is now effectively a training exercise for City, who are knocking the ball around almost unchallenged. Watford are understandably feeling aggrieved at the first goal, but they need to pick things up with half an hour still remaining.
Manchester City 3-0 Watford
64 minutes
Sterling, after his 15-minute hattrick, is replaced by Leroy Sane. Guardiola clearly has one eye on next week's Champions League game against Schalke.
Manchester City 3-0 Watford
65 minutes
Watford make a double change: Success and Femenia are off for Deeney and Deulofeu.
GOAL! Manchester City 3-1 Watford (Deulofeu)
66 minutes
An instant impact from the substitutes. Deeney towers above his marker and, from a long ball forward, nods a header into the path of Deulofeu. The Spaniard prods past Ederson and gives Watford a consolation.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
68 minutes
City immediately come forward following the restart and win a free kick. Sane hits a fierce shot, which Capoue gets in the way of. It's a painful one for the Frenchman, who is down receiving some treatment.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
72 minutes
It's started raining heavily at the Etihad and everything's gone a bit flat. City are just attempting to take the sting out of the game after that Watford goal.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
75 minutes
Watford are beginning to commit more players forward and are enjoying more of the ball. Deulofeu picks up the ball on the right, beats Otamendi and wins a free kick. Another goal now would make things interesting.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
77 minutes
City clear the free kick and break through Aguero. The ball finds its way to Walker, who drives into the box and puts a dangerous cross into the middle. No one is there to meet it, though.
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