EPL: Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates
Manchester City recovered from their mini-slump at the weekend to record a 3-1 win at home to Watford.
The big news for City coming into the game was the surprise return of David Silva to the midfield, while Kevin de Bruyne was also in the starting XI. Watford made two changes, with Etienne Capoue making a rare start.
Having won the last seven meetings between the teams, including a 6-0 win at Vicarage Road in September, the Citizens made a stunning start.
Breaking down the left, Leroy Sane produced a wonderful cross for Raheem Sterling who made no mistake with his finish just 39 seconds into the game.
City continued to press and forced a second on 13 minutes when Christian Kabasele put De Bruyne's cross through his own net.
De Bruyne then struck the crossbar but as the half wore on, the Hornets found more of a groove with most notably Andre Gray forcing a save from Ederson.
City's ease in dominating the game seemed to prompt them to switch off and allowed Capoue to have a tame effort.
The second half continued along a similar vein and Marco Silva was clearly encouraged by what he was seeing when he introduced both Tom Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra just after the hour.
However, it made no difference as moments later, Sergio Aguero got his goal, pouncing on a mistake from Heurelho Gomes to make it 3-0 and secure the points.
Watford did get a consolation, though, Gray following up an error by Ederson and Pep Guardiola will have been concerned by how his team lost their way in the closing stages.
It could have been worse as the visitors should have had a penalty when Nicolas Otamendi bundled over Pereyra but it was all academic as the Citizens held on for a 3-1 win.
Having won the last seven meetings between the teams, including a 6-0 win at Vicarage Road in September, the Citizens made a stunning start.
Breaking down the left, Leroy Sane produced a wonderful cross for Raheem Sterling who made no mistake with his finish just 39 seconds into the game.
City continued to press and forced a second on 13 minutes when Christian Kabasele put De Bruyne's cross through his own net.
De Bruyne then struck the crossbar but as the half wore on, the Hornets found more of a groove with most notably Andre Gray forcing a save from Ederson.
City's ease in dominating the game seemed to prompt them to switch off and allowed Capoue to have a tame effort.
The second half continued along a similar vein and Marco Silva was clearly encouraged by what he was seeing when he introduced both Tom Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra just after the hour.
However, it made no difference as moments later, Sergio Aguero got his goal, pouncing on a mistake from Heurelho Gomes to make it 3-0 and secure the points.
Watford did get a consolation, though, Gray following up an error by Ederson and Pep Guardiola will have been concerned by how his team lost their way in the closing stages.
It could have been worse as the visitors should have had a penalty when Nicolas Otamendi bundled over Pereyra but it was all academic as the Citizens held on for a 3-1 win.