MAN CITY 3, WATFORD 1
Raheem Sterling’s enjoyed a lucky break as a quickfire 13-minute hat-trick helped Manchester City open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The winger knew little about his opener as Daryl Janmaat deflected a through ball on to Sterling’s shin before it looped beyond keeper Ben Foster.
Had Janmaat not got to the ball first Sterling would have been offside, the sort of fortune City needed to break the deadlock after an awful opening-half display.
There was no element of doubt about Sterling’s second and third goals which completed a second career treble and took his season’s total to an impressive 18.
The only blemish for City, who made it nine games unbeaten in all competitions, was the sloppy goal conceded which was netted by Hornets’ substitute Gerard Deulofeu.
City were never seriously troubled as they made is 15 games without defeat against Watford, a sequence stretching back to 1989.
Embed from Getty ImagesPep Guardiola was delighted with his side’s win while acknowledging how difficult it was for his side to break down a resolute Watford defence.
City’s manager said: “It was always so difficult when (Andre) Gray, their striker, playing holding midfield.
“We were solid and made an incredible game. Their first shot on target was their goal. We knew it would be tight against a seventh-placed team and their physicality.
“Javier (Gracia) has done incredibly and it was almost impossible defensively, but it was a good performance against a good side.”
Guardiola said there was no denying they were helped by the first goal, conceding some referee would have given a goal and some wouldn’t have.
He added the introduction of VAR next season will make things “fairer”.
Guardiola continued: “Manchester City voted for VAR for this season, but other clubs didn’t.
“I am sorry and apologise to Javier if the first goal was offside, but there is nothing I can do about it.”
City’s two changes from the win at Bournemouth were both enforced through injury.
Riyad Mahrez and Vincent Kompany came in for Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones.
It was all change for Watford who made seven from the side beaten 5-0 at Liverpool.
David Silva had City’s first two goal attempts during a largely uneventful opening.
First he glanced a header narrowly wide from seven yards following a Mahrez cross and then his fiercely struck angled shot was beaten away by keeper Ben Foster.
Sergio Aguero ought to have broken the deadlock just short of the half hour when he headed narrowly wide from seven yards following a pinpoint cross from Mahrez.
Mahrez fired narrowly wide in stoppage time at the end of an eminently forgettable half.
City came out with an energy and urgency they lacked in the opening period and by the 50th minute were 2-0 ahead with the game won.
There was controversy about the goal that broke the deadlock in the opening minute of the second period.
Aguero played the ball forward to Sterling who appeared offside. However, Janmaat got to the ball first and played it off Sterling’s shin and it looped beyond keeper Ben Foster.
The assistant referee raised his flag as he hadn’t spotted the ball bouncing off Janmaat. But after lengthy deliberations with referee Paul Tierney it was given. The pair came to the correct decision without VAR which is not yet operational in Premier League matches.
There was no doubt about Sterling’s second moments later. Mahrez weaved his way clear on the right and squared a pass to the unmarked Sterling at the far post for a simple tap-in from three yards.
Sterling completed a 13 minute and 12 second hat-trick with a super solo effort.
He received a pass from David Silva and cut inside past Janmaat and Christian Kabasele before firing home from eight yards.
Sterling’s work was done and midway through the second period he was replaced by Leroy Sane.
Watford pulled a goal back 17 seconds after making a double switch as Troy Deeney and Deulofeu were involved with their first touches.
Foster’s long forward punt with a free kick was headed om by Deeney for Deulofeu slotting home low past Ederson.
Bernardo Silva and Sane had chances in quick succession to add a fourth goal, Silva denied by Foster and Sane blazing wide.
City’s second change with 10 minutes left saw Aguero make way for Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus came close to a goal when he was put clean through and rounded Foster before Kabasele saved with day for the Hornets with a great block.
And from the resulting corner, Nicolas Otamendi headed narrowly wide.
City made their last change in their final minute as Mahrez made way for youngster Phil Foden.