Watford vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the latest updates as the champions visit Vicarage Road
A potentially pivotal day in the title race, which began in east London before late drama at Wolverhampton, ended with Manchester City fans singing “We are top of the league” into the cold evening air at Vicarage Road. Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham opened the door and City swaggered through with a dominant 3-1 win over Watford, most notable for the joyful brilliance of Bernardo Silva.
If Mohamed Salah is the early frontrunner for the Premier League’s player of the season, Bernardo is his nearest rival making a concerted charge. The Portuguese scored two sublime goals here, the first exhibiting his delicate touch in tight spaces, the second showing off the accuracy of his unerring left foot. City rarely rely on the gift of a single star but sometimes one comes to the fore – think of Kevin De Bruyne in 19/20, or Ilkay Gundogan last season – and this feels unequivocally like the year of Bernardo.
Follow all the latest rection below to Man City’s win at Watford.
Watford 0-3 Man City
71 mins: City were gifted a free kick as Sterling was fouled by Dennis. Foden crossed it in and found Cathcart who conceded a corner. Mahrez took the set-piece but it was well cleared.
Bachmann then made two more great saves. Though he has let three in this evening the keeper has had a sensational evening.
Watford made a change as Rose, who hasn’t had the best game, was replaced by Ngakia.
Watford 0-3 Man City
67 mins: Watford had been holding strong before the Silva goal but they fall apart after conceding.
Grealish again almost slotted home in the top corner and after the effort he was taken off. Gundogan was also replaced with De Bruyne and Mahrez coming on.
GOAL! Watford 0-3 Man City (SILVA 63)
What a goal! Silva danced around Rose to slot the ball in the top left.
This came after pressure from City, Gundogan had an effort that went wide. And Sterling, who has been the life of this City side, created another chance but Watford did enough to muscle the ball back before the goal from Silva.
Watford 0-2 Man City
60 mins: Dennis went down gripping his knee - maybe trying to highlight he was brought down in the box. No penalty was given and he was back to his feet.
Sissoko was urged to shoot by the crowd and so he launched the ball but it was well wide.
Then is was City’s turn to have a punt at goal with Foden smacking the woodwork. Bachmann got a hand to it to give away a corner. Laporte’s effort sailed over the bar.
Watford 0-2 Man City
55 mins: Dennis did well to get the ball up to just outside the box but Foden got it back. The passage of play ended with the ball at Sterling’s feet and Bachmann making another stunning save - the keeper is having a great game despite the score line.
Another chance went begging for City and if they had capitalised on these opportunities it could have easily been 5-0 by now.
Watford 0-2 Man City
50 mins: An early corner conceded as Sterling looked to strike. It was taken short and City eventually got the ball to an offside Dias.
Watford then won a corner back as Dennis took a shot. Dennis then got a head to the corner ball but it sailed over the bar. Nothing to suggest Watford can fight their way back into this one as of yet.
It was corners galore as City won another but Bachmann collected.
Watford 0-2 Man City
We are back underway at Vicarage Road!
Louza and Cleverly are off and Kucka and Hernandez are on for Watford
Will Watford be able to get back into this one or will City run away with this to end up on top?
All to come in the next 45 but look at this stat about Silva, outstanding!
Half-time: Watford 0-2 Man City
A look at Raheem Sterling’s opener...
Half-time: Watford 0-2 Man City
Watford have had some spells of possession but it has been all City in the first half.
An early goal from Sterling crushed the hosts who were scrambling for the following ten minutes. Ranieri’s side built themselves back into it but Silva’s goal at 30 minutes drained the hope from Watford.
Even in the added time of the first 45 Watford conceded a corner with Bachmann their only saviour.
The question on everyone’s lips now is how ruthless will City be in this second half?
Watford 0-2 Man City
45 mins: City won a corner as defenders expelled the ball from a Gundogan attack. Bachmann collected and cleared his lines.
More City pressure and possession closed out normal time and it feels that is how the remainder of the match is going to play out. Two minutes added time at Vicarage Road.
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