Talking Points Of Manchester City’s Triumph Over Watford At Vicarage Road

By Nitish Bhan
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Updated: December 5, 2018
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The English champs traveled to Vicarage Road to face Watford in their mid-week fixture in the Premier League, with the hopes of taking back all three points from the match. Manchester City extended their lead on the top of the Premier League table, as they beat Javi Gracia’s side 2-1, in a game that was more or less dominated by them. However, Pep Guardiola’s side had to eventually defend well to hold on to their lead and take back all three points from the match, as Watford gave it their all till the very end.

It was the Citizens that took the lead in the first half from a Leroy Sane goal, with the German linking up well with Riyad Mahrez. The attacker chested the ball into the back of the net after the former Leicester man had put in a cross from the right wing. There were no goal goals scored in the opening 45, though the chances were plenty.

The visitors doubled their lead in the second half, when Mahrez himself got on the score sheet. Gabriel Jesus finally had an impact on the game and claimed an assist for the goal. However, just as the came was nearing its end, the home side tried to fight back, with a goal being scored by Abdoulaye Doucoure. However, the goal ended up being a mere consolation and the game ended 2-1.

Ben Foster was the main reason why Watford were even in the game for so long, as the 35-year-old keeper made multiple saves right through the game to keep his side still in it. Despite his best efforts, City were just too good for their opponents and held on to a narrow win.

Leroy Sane – The Goal Machine

Leroy Sane has been in the form of his life in recent times. He just can’t stop scoring for his club and national team and was resourceful in this match, as he chested the ball into the back of the net. The goal came at a crucial time, as City were creating a lot of chances in the match and dominating possession, though were just not able to finish them off. Pep has shown great faith in his young German star, who has been really repaying it in recent times.

Ben Foster’s Big Saves Made The Difference

City would have scored plenty of goals in the game, had it not been for Ben Foster. The Watford goalie kept pulling out saves out of the hat, keeping his team still in it. He denied the likes of Mahrez, David Silva and many others to keep it down to 2-0, before his team got a goal back. It was never going to be an easy game, but one can surely say that Ben Foster played his part in keeping his team in it.

City Needs Aguero And Sterling

City missed quite a few players with injury, though the key ones that could have made an impact in this one were Aguero and Sterling. Both players have been in top form in the Premier League and could have possibly finished off some of the chances that were created. Gabriel Jesus has not been the best striker that the Manchester based side has and the Argentine could have really done a much better job. Also, Sterling’s pace and trickery were missed in the match. It could be possible that both players were being rested to regain full fitness, ahead of the clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Watford Fought Till The End

Though it was a really tough game, each and every Watford player worked really hard to make something out of it. They were good defensively and did not lose their composure, even when the goals went in. They did not have a lot of ball possession, but kept chasing it all around the pitch and were eventually rewarded at the end. Any other smaller team as their opponent on the night possibly and the win would have been theirs, but it just didn’t happen against the champions of England. However, the work-rate and fighting spirit would have made the fans and the manager proud of the way that his team played.