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 0-2 Man City
40 mins: City were gifted a free kick as Dennis challenged Grealish. It added to the dominance City have held throughout this first half. They once again built towards goal as their fans chanted.
Cancelo managed to cross into the box but Watford defenders did enough to repel the attack.
Watford 0-2 Man City
35 mins: Watford look depleted after that Silva goal and it’s letting City have the potential to build their score. The hosts were lucky Foden fluffed his attempt.
Ranieri looks disappointed on the side lines, not least as his sparkling record against city is about to be obliterated. He as a manager is unbeaten in his last nine encounters against Guardiola’s side.
GOAL! Watford 0-2 Man City (SILVA 30)
It was coming really wasn’t it but you have to feel for Bachmann. Gundogan struck first with the keeper making a good save but the ball came back out and Bernardo Silva hit home.
Frustrating for Watford who had started to build into this match. Also worth noting Rose was booked for a challenge on Grealish just before the goal.
Watford 0-1 Man City
29 mins: Watford won their first corner of the match but it was punched away by Ederson. City launches a counter from it but Dennis did well to intercept the ball.
Cancelo poked a shot but it went hugely wide.
Watford almost had a defensive blunder and the ball was headed back to the keeper with Grealish charging it down. Bachmann, who has been brilliant so far, saw Grealish off.
A challenge by Laporte gave away a free kick to the hosts. Dennis struck the set-piece but Ederson collected.
Watford 0-1 Man City
24 mins: Grealish has another two shots, he’s hungry for a goal today isn’t he! Another great save from Bachmann keeps his side in the match with the other shot sailing over the bar.
Four shots for the English star so far which is the most he’s had in a single match for City since signing in the summer.
Watford 0-1 Man City
19 mins: There’s been more promise from the hosts.
Dennis had a shot at goal but Ederson collected it at the near post. Watford have settled since the early goal and have shaken the stunned affect from it.
Of course City are still creating opportunities but the defence doesn’t have the desperate chaotic edge it had in the early stages.
Watford 0-1 Man City
15 mins: Watford patched some attack with Dennis just outmuscled by City in the box.
The hosts had more go forward but City manage to get the ball back with Foden hitting the deck from a challenge by Cleverley. The Watford man visibly angry as he believes Foden dove.
Watford 0-1 Man City
11 mins: Chance! Grealish almost got a goal but Bachmann does well again to stop it.
Watford are scrambling after the early goal and they still haven’t had sustained possession.
Watford 0-1 Man City
9 mins: The ball was kicked off in the sixth minute to pay tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, the crowd standing in applause.
Shortly before, King was booked for a challenge.
Sterling almost doubled City’s lead but Bachmann made a great save but conceded a corner. It ended with another corner which Grealish got a head to, the keeper saving again. Rose again out of position.
Watford 0-1 Man City
5 mins: Before that goal the first corner of the game went City’s way as Watford repelled early attack.
Laporte got a head to the ball with Pedro saving the hosts, a nervous opening few minutes and the pressure didn’t let up.
Watford have had hardly any possession and now they’ve conceded it could be an embarrassing result.
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