Manchester City news: Bernardo Silva's brace helps City beat Watford 3-1

Manchester City defeated Watford 3-1 courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s brace in the Premier League fixture at Vicarage Road on Saturday. The win helped Pep Guardiola’s side to move to the top of the points table after Chelsea suffered a defeat against West Ham early in the day. City as usual started the match brightly and took the lead inside the opening four minutes through Raheem sterling. Silva doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark before the Portuguese international completed his brace in the second half to seal the three points. Cucho Hernandez did pull one back for the hosts, 16 minutes from time.

City almost took the lead inside two minutes as Aymeric Laporte’s header from Phil Foden’s corner was hooked off the line by Joao Pedro. However the visitors went ahead in the 4th minute. Silva spread the ball to Foden on the left side and the English midfielder sent in a perfect cross for an unmarked Sterling to head home.

Few minutes later, Sterling was involved once again as he cut inside from the right and tried to curl the ball in with his left foot but the home goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann parried the ball away. Jack Grealish could have scored a couple of goals inside 11 minutes had he been a bit more clinical.

The English playmaker’s free header from Foden’s corner went straight to Bachmann in the 8th minute. Two minutes later, Gudogan gave the ball to Foden on the left and the 21-year-old’s first time ball across the goal found Grealish. But the 26-year-old’s first touch was a bit heavy and that allowed Bachmann to close the gap and make the save.

City deservedly got their second of the night in the 31st minute. Silva played in Gundogan and the latter’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper. But Silva pounced on the loose ball and slotted home from a tight angle. It was the 27-year-old’s fifth Premier League goal in last 8 games.

Silva’s sensational goal

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri made two substitutions at half time, with Hernandez and Juraj Kuck sent on. However, it was still the visitors who were on the ascendancy and Bachmann was kept busy. Sterling tested the Austrian goalkeeper from a breakaway move before Foden’s shot rattled the post.

As Watford pushed men forward for a goal, City got spaces to exploit. Gundogan shot over the bar after yet another counter attack on the hour-mark. And then, on 63 minutes, Silva showed everyone why his boss considers him the best in the league with yet another superb goal after scoring a sensational goal against Aston villa in the previous game. The 27-year-old cut inside from the right side of the penalty area and curled the ball into the top corner with his sweet left-foot.

Three minutes later, Grealish’s attempt took a wicked deflection and looped onto the crossbar, that was his last involvement in the game as he was substituted with Riyad Mahrez. The last 20 minutes saw the hosts threatening the City goal and eventually reduced the deficit in the 74th minute. Hernandez blasted the ball against the far post before converting the rebound. The substitute then delivered a low cross which was steered just wide by Joshua King at the near post.

City stood firm to hold on to the two goal lead and secure their fifth straight league victory and move to the summit with 35 points, one above second placed Liverpool. Meanwhile it was Ranieri’s sixth defeat as Watford manager in eight games in charge. The Hornets are placed at the 17 spot, just three points above the relegation zone.