City 3 Watford 1
March 9th 2019 att.54,104
After a pretty tough and dreary first half with the visitors defending well the second half started with a bang - well it was a pretty controversial goal that Sterling scored. The offside flag was up but the referee overruled the linesman and awarded City the goal. Immediately after Sterling netted a second and completed his hat-trick shortly after. City were asleep when Watford got a goal back and then normal service was resumed with City having most of the play and it ended with a comfortable win. The defence had a fairly quiet cold and sometimes wet evening and Ederson hardly had a save to make. Zinchenko continued his busy self but we do miss the passing of Fernandinho and De Bruyne. After a fairly quiet first half Sterling reached the 15 mark of league goals in just 13 minutes. Mahrez still has some way to go to reach his best.
With several players injured Kompany and Mahrez started. At least Jesus and Laporte were on the bench.
Watford did not fill their space this evening with their fans
The flags were out in the North Stand again
An early effort by Otamendi is saved by Foster
Masina is fouled by Walker
Moments later he brings down Success and gets a yellow card
A cross from Mahrez is headed by Silva..........
...but it just goes wide of the post
Goodness gracious Watford have come into our half -
I thought that was forbidden!
Silva has a shot blocked by Foster
It's Walkers turn to get fouled....
Cleverley gets a yellow card but Watford clear the free kick
The ever improving Zinchenko is getting lots of the ball
City continue to attack without much luck
Kompany just misses the ball at a corner
Benardo Silva is just about to cross.....
....to an unmarked Aguero but his header goes just wide much to the woes of the South Stand
A very good late tackle by Janmaat on Sterling saves the day for Watford
Foster in action once more
but the flag is up for offside
A shot from Aguero is saved by Foster
Just before half time a shot from Mahrez is close
Seconds into the second half an effort by Sterling goes into the net.....
City start to celebrate but they suddenly realize......
...the linesman has got his flag up presumably for offside but the referee goes towards him followed by Watford players
The Watford players are not very happy about the situation
The referee then talks to the linesman while the City players wait with baited breathe!
The ref points to the centre for a goal and the Watford players are really angry
The City players celebrate while the ref still has to deal with the protesting Watford players
The Watford players were still under stress moments later when City attack again......
....and a cross by Mahrez is tapped into the net by Sterling to make it two nil - What a start to the second half!
The North Stand cheer and the City players cannot believe their luck!
Pep tries to shout instructions and in the end passes them to Zinchenko
Foster tries to clear from Sterling but the flag is up for offside - no problems this time!
On 50 minutes Sterling breaks through and scores a third goal - amazing
The North Stand have even more to celebrate
Sterling and the City players can enjoy the moment
Watford make two changes and within seconds a long kick by Foster finds sub Deulofau who breaks down the right...
..and scores and the Watford fans have something to smile about
A free kick taken by Sane -on for Sterling hits a defender who goes down
he gets treatment as the rain comes down
Jesus on for Aguero has a shot blocked
Game over and City have a 4 point lead over Liverpool - for a day at least!
team
Ederson 6.5: Walker 6.5, Kompany 7, Otamendi 7 Zinchenko 7: Gundogan 7, Silva 7.5, Benardo 7.5, Sterling 8 ( Sane) Aguero 7.5 ( Jesus) Mahrez 6 (Foden)
