By Daily Sports on December 5, 2021
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his side had “reached their highest standard” of the season as they claimed a dominant win over Watford to move top of the Premier League for the first time in 2021-22.
Raheem Sterling headed the reigning champions ahead after only four minutes, when free at the back post to meet Phil Foden’s excellent cross from the left.
The hosts were repeatedly ripped apart by City’s movement, passing and creativity and only a number of saves from goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann kept the score down to one goal in the first 30 minutes.
But City got a well-deserved second as Bachmann denied Ilkay Gundogan, but the rebound fell to Bernardo Silva, who showed excellent skill to beat two defenders and finish well from a tight angle. Silva then grabbed his second and City’s third, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area and curling a fine finish past Bachmann.
Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for Watford, following in to convert a rebound after his first strike had hit the foot of the post.
“We’re an incredibly consistent team,” said Guardiola, whose side have recorded seven consecutive wins in all competitions.
“We played a really good performance and missed a lot of chances.
“The game could have been over after 10 or 15 minutes and the most important thing is we played in a consistent way that made us control the game.
“We scored three beautiful goals and could’ve scored more.”
After 15 matches, City – title winners in five of the past 10 seasons – are a point ahead of Liverpool.
Chelsea began the day as leaders, but are now a point behind the Reds in third place, after losing 3-2 to fourth-placed West Ham.
“It’s better to be at the top, but we will drop points and hopefully the opponents will as well but there is a long path ahead,” added Guardiola. (BBC)
•PHOTO: Raheem Sterling heads in City’s opener
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 5, 2021
You may also like...
Juventus Cruise Past Geno To Go Fifth In...
Enugu set to celebrate Christian Chukwu December 13...
Ex-footballer arrested in 'cockfighting' raid
The situation of football in Nigeria is very...
Lobi Stars Slam Indefinite Suspension On 3 Players...
BREAKING: Super Eagles hold Bafana Bafana, book 2019...

Super Falcons unveil 10-star jersey ahead of WAFCON 2026
From Sporting Lisbon to Al Nassr: Ronaldo’s records so far
WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot, record prize money
Wikki Tourists administrator tasks players, coaches on NPFL return
Golf: Port Harcourt to host Nigerian National Finals
I’ve had enough, sprinter Onyah threatens to dump Nigeria
Onyeka warns teammates ahead EPL opener
The real money behind football’s biggest prizes
Nigeria to host CAF General Assembly November
Lessons from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals
NSSF boss Joseph elected ISF Africa president
Nigeria seek final spots at ITTF Africa Youth Champs
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,972 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,323 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,225 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,829 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,710 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,580 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,474 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,987 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,203 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,673 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,155 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,534 views)