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In an unusual top of the table clash, it was Watford who welcomed Manchester City to Vicarage road. Both teams were unbeaten and looked to extend their clean-sheet streaks. However, in the end, Watford’s bubble was harshly burst by the quality of Pep’s men.
Manchester City opened the scoring in the 26th minute when main man Sergio Agüero latched onto a Kevin De Bruyne delivery to head home from 7 yards out. Their lead was doubled 5 minutes later as Sergio Agüero tapped in from close range. City basically put the game to bed in the 37th minute as Gabriel Jesus ran onto an Agüero through ball and calmly slotted it past Heurelho Gomes.
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The story was much the same after the break as Nicolas Otamendi further increased City’s lead with a header from a David Silva corner in the 63rd minute. Agüero completed his hattrick in the 80th minute bursting through the Watford and sneaking a shot past the outstretched Gomes.
Just to rub salt in the wounds, Manchester City were rewarded with a penalty in the dying minutes which Raheem Sterling duly converted. The win sends Manchester City clear at the top of the table with only Manchester United within touching distance.
Here are the main talking points of the game.
#5 ?lkay Gündo?an returns
After missing 252 days through a cruciate ligament rupture, ?lkay Gündo?an made his first-team return for Manchester City. In that time, Gündo?an has missed 32 competitive games for the Sky Blues. The industrious German midfielder only adds more quality to City’s stacked midfield. The 26-year old came on for Kevin De Bruyne in the 66th minute.
In his short but welcomed cameo, Gündo?an had 47 touches of the ball, maintained an 88% pass accuracy and made 14 passes in Watford’s half. He doesn’t seem to have lost a step during his months on the sidelines.
#4 Richarlison fails to deliver
A lot has been reported about the exploits of Richarlison, some likened him to Neymar, claiming he was the next golden boy of Brazil. To be fair, he has shown glimpses of such talent in recent weeks but in a match where it truly counted, the Brazilian was nowhere to be seen.
In the past, he’s been praised for his exceptional ball-carrying skills, close control and wizardry dribbling. He displayed none of those attributes against Manchester City, however. If he truly is the next saviour of Brazil, this is the level of opposition he must be producing against.
Against City, the 20-year old only made 16 accurate passes, produced 3 unsuccessful take-ons and was dispossessed 4 times. The Brazilian not only hid, he actively contributed to Watford’s downfall.
#3 Two offside goals by City
This was in no way intended to downplay the exploits of City today, but two of their magically crafted goals were offside. In their first goal, Sergio Agüero marginally strayed offside before Kevin De Bruyne’s set-piece reached him. Their 3rd goal, which was scored by Gabriel Jesus, was also offside.
The Brazilian has had hard luck with linesman since coming to England. But in this case, he was given the rub of the green as the linesman somehow missed the 20-year old being offside by a half a yard.
Watford may feel hard done by by these decisions but they never really endangered City’s goal in the slightest. They did attempt an attacking style of play but Pep’s men simply carved them open in response.
#2 Watford attempt possession-based football
In the past, we’ve become accustomed to the Hornets playing a direct style of football. The pitch of Vicarage road often resembled an airstrike ground as long ball after long ball was produced, often putting other teams to the sword.
However, the revolution initiated by Marco Silva has begun and Watford now resembles a different side entirely. Instead of seeking to hoof it up the pitch to the striker, Watford played it out from the back, keeping their direct passes to a minimum.
Throughout the game, the home team completed 311 passes with 62.3% of them occurring in City’s half. Silva is gradually changing the culture at Vicarage road, ushering in a new era of attractive football. It may not have worked today, but in the future, it will yield results.
#1 Ruthless City
Many have felt that despite their unbeaten start to the season, Manchester City have not shown what it takes to be Premier League Champions. Those queries can now be put to bed as the Sky Blues have slaughtered Liverpool and Watford in successive weeks. They’re not only content with winning games by a 1 or 2 goal margin, they’re ruthlessly already thinking about their end of season goal difference.
In the first half, Manchester City completely overloaded Watford down the wide channels. David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne found themselves drifting into the wide channels on several occasions, doubling up on the Watford centre-backs. This sustained width allowed both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Agüero to stay central, where they’re at their most dangerous. In the second half, they relentlessly tested Watford's defence and cut them open all over the final third.
Their build-up play was immaculate, their movement was mesmerising and their chance creation was unstoppable. Watford should thank their lucky stars the scoreline didn’t resemble more of a cricket score. To put things in perspective, City destroyed a Watford team that were unbeaten until today and not conceded a goal in 3 games. Wowzers.
