Match ends, Manchester City 2, Watford 0.
Man CityManchester City2WatfordWatford0
Raheem Sterling's first goal for Manchester City ended Watford's resistance and helped his side continue their 100% winning start to the season.
The Hornets dug in well for the first half but the game changed 88 seconds after the interval when Sterling slotted home Bacary Sagna's cross.
Fernandinho made it 2-0 with a fierce finish from David Silva's pass.
Watford did not manage a single shot on target as City saw out the win to move three points clear at the top.
The victory was City's 10th in a row, breaking a 103-year-old club record, and they are still to concede a goal in any of their four Premier League games this season.
Watford, who had arrived at Etihad Stadium on the back of three straight draws, looked well organised as they frustrated the home side before the break but carried little threat when they tried to fight back after falling behind.
Reaction to this match and the rest of Saturday's action here
Relive Manchester City's victory over Watford
Hornets set out to stop City
Watford's gameplan worked superbly when the game was goalless, with City failing to find a way through the visitors in the first 45 minutes.
The Hornets did more than just work hard and defend in numbers, they kept City out thanks to some impressive organisation.
Troy Deeney was nominally Watford's lone striker in their 4-2-3-1 formation but actually operated as a deep-lying right-sided midfielder, helping to shield his defence when City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov made his frequent forays forward.
| Average position of Man City and Watford players in the first half |
|---|
| The average position of Man City and Watford players shows where the game was played in the first half. Watford striker Troy Deeney is their number nine in the graphic above. City defender Aleksandar Kolarov is their number 11. |
City essentially faced two banks of five defenders, and the speed on their flanks offered by Sterling and Jesus Navas could not make a difference.
Sterling had City's best chance of the first half when his was shot turned round the post by Heurelho Gomes, but that was the only time he got a clear sight of goal.
City make changes to make the breakthrough
Last season, City boss Manuel Pellegrini was accused of tactical inflexibility when his team struggled to break down down defensive-minded sides.
But his half-time switch made the difference on Saturday - and showed the greater depth now available in his squad.
Navas was taken off and Silva moved over to the right, with Samir Nasri coming on to play on the left and Sterling being pushed up through the middle.
Within seconds, the change had an effect. Silva fed Sagna, whose cross was converted by Sterling six yards out.
It was an ominous sign for City's title rivals and Pellegrini's attacking options will only increase if, as expected, Kevin de Bruyne completes his move from Wolfsburg before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Belgium midfielder, who will cost more than £50m, is set to have a medical with City this weekend.
Man of the match - Man City's Raheem Sterling
Manager reaction
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It was not frustrating in the first half. You can't expect to win the game inside 45 minutes against a team who defends well. We made some changes and we created more chances and won the game."
On goalscorer Raheem Sterling: "Raheem played very well. It was good for him to score. He worked very hard and I'm sure he'll score more goals."
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores: "We were prepared for a difficult match and we were there to resist and contain City.
"They have some high quality technical and physical players so it is hard to do that here but we had the feeling in the first half they had a lot of problems, we defended well and restricted the space very well.
"It was disappointing to concede the goal so early in the second half but the difference between us and City is high, and we gave our best. Losing here while fighting to play well is a positive thing for Watford."
What next?
City will return to action after the international break with an intriguing top-of-the-table trip to Crystal Palace, who are second after their shock win over defending champions Chelsea.
Watford will continue their hunt for a first win of the season when they host Swansea.
The stats you need to know
- Manchester City have become the ninth team to win 10 or more successive Premier League games.
- Watford have won just three of their 40 Premier League away matches (W3 D7 L30).
- Watford have failed to register a shot on target in their last two Premier League games.
- Man City are unbeaten in their last 25 home Premier League games against newly promoted opposition (W23 D2 L0), with their last defeat coming against Reading in February 2007.
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Hart
- 3Sagna
- 4KompanyBooked at 40mins
- 20Mangala
- 11Kolarov
- 42Y Touré
- 25Fernandinho
- 15NavasSubstituted forNasriat 45'minutes
- 21SilvaSubstituted forDelphat 75'minutes
- 7SterlingSubstituted forIheanachoat 89'minutes
- 10Agüero
Substitutes
- 8Nasri
- 13Caballero
- 18Delph
- 26Demichelis
- 27Roberts
- 50Maffeo Becerra
- 72Iheanacho
Watford
Formation 4-2-4-0
- 1Gomes
- 2NyomBooked at 43mins
- 5PrödlBooked at 63mins
- 15Cathcart
- 25Holebas
- 29CapoueSubstituted forWatsonat 76'minutes
- 8Behrami
- 9Deeney
- 7Jurado
- 22AbdiSubstituted forAnyaat 63'minutes
- 24IghaloSubstituted forLayunat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Vydra
- 19Layun
- 21Anya
- 23Watson
- 31Hoban
- 32Diamanti
- 34Arlauskis
- Referee:
- Mark Clattenburg
- Attendance:
- 53,218
Match Stats
Home TeamMan CityAway TeamWatford
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home9
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, Watford 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Miguel Layún (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City).
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Valon Behrami (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Ikechi Anya (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by José Holebas.
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Foul by Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City).
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Jurado (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Raheem Sterling.
Post update
Attempt missed. Miguel Layún (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jurado.
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Attempt saved. Samir Nasri (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.
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Attempt blocked. Yaya Touré (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samir Nasri.
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Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Nyom (Watford).
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Ben Watson replaces Etienne Capoue.
Post update
Attempt missed. Yaya Touré (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Aleksandar Kolarov with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Fabian Delph replaces David Silva.
Post update
Attempt missed. Etienne Capoue (Watford) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left. Assisted by Valon Behrami.
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Miguel Layún replaces Odion Ighalo.
