City 2 Watford 0
December 14th 2016 51,457
Not the most memorable of games but it was vital that City got back to winning form after the terrible result at Leicester. With no Aguero and Fernandinho it was a surprise to see Nolito leading the attack and not iheanacho. However with Watford hardly troubling Bravo all game it was nice to see City keep a clean sheet for once and earn their first win at home for three months! The first half hour was pretty boring so it was great to see Zabaleta score his first goal for ages. As the match went on there was always a chance that our defence would make an error and concede a goal so Silva's late goal made the three points safe. One main worry was the injury to Gundogan who looks like being out for a while with a knee problem. So maybe Yaya Toure playing in his 200th league game and who did not lay down once all game will get more time on the field.
No Stones in defence was a surprise as was Nolito up front in the absence of the suspended Aguero.
Not a huge number of visiting fans tonight and they were very quiet too
The flags were out in force to greet the City players
Early action for Otamendi
A Sterling attack forces a corner
Gomes saves from De Bruyne
A City attack ends with a offside decision
On 20 minutes Silva is fouled and Prodl gets a yellow card
The ref tries to persuade Zabaleta to send him a Xmas card !
Nolito appeals against a free kick and a minute later does not want a helping hand from Guedioura
On 33 minutes an attack by City ends with De Bruyne crossing........
......to the waiting Zabaleta who cracked the ball past Gomes to give City the lead and a welcome cheer from the South Stand
It was Pablo's first goal for a long while and he certainly enjoyed the moment
a minute later and Gundagon gets fouled and there is a delay while he gets treatment and he came back on
Gundagon is subbed by Fernando
The big race at half time
Early in the second half the Watford goal has an escape when Gomes pushes the ball out but no City players nearby
Sterling is brought down by Britos
A shot by Nolito is blocked
Sterling goes on a run.....
....beats several players and shoots but the ball clips the bar and goes over
Yaya and Kolarov keep an eye on Amrabat
Holebas brings down Sterling
All eyes on the ball at the free kick
Oh dear Zabaleta is booked for a foul on Success
Kolarov heads away the free kick......
When the ball comes back in Bravo makes a good save from Capoue and the ball is eventually cleared by City
Sterling is blocked by Holebas once more!
Otamendi and Kolarov collide trying to clear
Ighalo has a good chance but shoots over the bar
City break and have a chance ........
....as they outnumber the Watford defence and an interchange between Sterling and Silva ends with the latter scoring past Gomes to make it two nil - game over!
Time to celebrate for players and fans
The secret sniper was at work again as full time approached and it was a very welcome three points for City
Bravo 7: Zabaleta 8, Otamendi 7, Kolarov 7 Clichy 6.5: Gundogan 6 ( Fernando 7) Toure 7.5, Sterling 7, De Bruyne 7 (Sane), Silva 7.5, Nolito 7 ( Navas)
