MAN CITY 2, WATFORD 0
“Marginally better” was the two-word response of a Manchester City season-ticket holder leaving the Etihad after the home victory against Watford.
It was concise summary of a workmanlike rather than spectacular performance as goals from Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva earned a first home Premier League victory for almost three months.
Yet not long before Silva sealed victory after 86 minutes, Watford missed a sitter when Odion Ighalo fired over when it looked as though he could not miss.
The margins are that fine and City had lady luck on their side as they won at home in the league for the first time since beating AFC Bournemouth on September 17.
It was only City’s third clean sheet of the season in 16 Premier League games and the first in nine matches in all competitions though, in fairness, Watford offered little threat offensively.
But after heavy league defeats to Chelsea and Leicester, the win provided some cheer for City manager Pep Guardiola whose tactics have come under intense scrutiny in recent times during a spell that had seen the side win only four times in 15 games before the Watford victory.
Guardiola said: “I focused on the spirit of the players that was like the start of the season, and I am sure the players will take confidence from it.
“Players are emotional and hopefully they will take confidence from this victory into the next game.”
Guardiola added he was happy with the clean sheet, saying it was not simply down to the back four, but was down to the workrate of the whole team.
City’s manager only dampener was the injury to Ilkay Gundogan who limped off with what looked a serious injury to the right knee he dislocated earlier this year playing for Borussia Dortmund.
“I am so sad for Gundogan who looked to be out for a long time. It is the worse news,” he said.
City, who had picked up only 12 points from a possible 27, made five changes from the side beaten comprehensively at Leicester City.
John Stones was the most high profile casualty and he was joined on the sidelines by Bacary Sagna, Fernando Reges, Jesus Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho, the latter rested as he had complained of a slight muscle strain.
Winning call ups were Nicolas Otamendi, back after suspension, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and Nolito.
Toure and David Silva reached the milestone of 200 Premier League appearances.
City carved out two decent chances in the opening nine minutes, but the efforts from Kevin De Bruyne and Sterling were both well saved by Heurelho Gomes.
After a largely frustrating opening, City made the all-important breakthrough from an unlikely source, right-back Zabaleta.
De Bruyne crossed from the left and Zabaleta ghosted in to volley home at the far post from six yards.
It was Zabaleta’s first goal since December 2014 against Roma in the Champions League.
De Bruyne shot wide and Toure over as City looked to build on their lead.
City were forced to make a change just before the break when Ilkay Gundogan limped off to be replaced by Fernando Reges after twice going down in the space of minutes with what appeared to be an injury to his right knee.
Sterling produced the best piece of magic of the night as he ran from deep, cut inside and then saw his shot from the edge of the box strike the crossbar.
Watford had their first clear-cut chance after 76 minutes arrived when Etienne Capoue forced a decent save from Claudio Bravo.
City’s second change with nine minutes remaining saw Nolito replaced by Navas.
Watford ought to have equalised moments later when Nordin Amrabat supplied a great cross to Ighalo who shot over from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.
City sealed victory after a counter attack when Watford had two players on the ground injured. Silva played a delightful return pass with Sterling before striking in an effort from 10 yards, his third goal of the season and first in the Premier League for 23 games.
Leroy Sane came on for De Bruyne in the 89th minute, City’s third and final change.
Silva had a chance to add a third goal in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, but Gomes denied him with a smart save.