Manchester City moved 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Watford at the Etihad Stadium.
City led by two goals inside the first 13 minutes, before Sergio Aguero scored a third in the second period as the Citizens returned to winning ways in comfortable fashion despite conceding late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.01pmGood evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Watford from the Etihad Stadium. City's 18-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end when they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at the weekend. However, the Citizens are still 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester United with a game in hand. Can an out-of-form Watford team upset the Citizens tonight? Stay tuned to find out what occurs!
7.04pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this match. Has Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack following the draw with Palace? What about Watford, any alterations from their home defeat to Swansea City? Let's run through the two XIs for this match...
7.07pmTEAMS!
CITY: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Stones, Delph; Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
WATFORD: Gomes; Janmaat, Wague, Kabasele, Zeegelaar; Doucoure, Watson; Carrillo, Capoue, Richarlison; Gray
7.10pmMan City boss Guardiola has made five changes to the team that started against Palace. John Stones returns from injury to replace Eliaquim Mangala, while Fabian Delph is in for Danilo at left-back. Further forward, David Silva is back from injury to replace Ilkay Gundogan, while Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling come in for Bernardo Silva and the injured Gabriel Jesus in the final third.
7.13pm
Who's loving that line-up tonight? #cityvwatford pic.twitter.com/eXL12pJZk7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 2, 2018
7.16pmAs for Watford, head coach Marco Silva has made two changes to the team that started against Swansea at the weekend. Etienne Capoue replaces Tom Cleverley in central midfield, while Stefano Okaka, who is unwell, is replaced by Andre Gray. Troy Deeney is still suspended for the Hornets, while the likes of Kiko Femenia and Miguel Britos are still on the sidelines through injury.
7.19pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold evening in Manchester. I shall speak about Watford and their troubles a little bit later, but let's start with the league leaders Man City, who were held at Palace in their last match.
7.22pmThe goalless draw with Palace meant that Man City's 18-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end, and they came extremely close to suffering their first domestic defeat of the campaign as Palace won a stoppage-time penalty. Ederson saved the spot kick, however, to ensure that the Citizens would claim a point. Guardiola's side were far from their best at Selhurst Park.
7.25pm
#HappyNewYear, lads! pic.twitter.com/DHtoxZ50Z8
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 2, 2018
7.28pmDespite City dropping points at the weekend; they are still 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester United with a game in hand. A win tonight would take them 15 points clear of their rivals, and it does appear that they will run away with the Premier League title this term. They have won 19 of their 21 fixtures this term - remaining unbeaten - to collect an incredible 59 points.
7.32pmCity will host Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend, before welcoming Bristol City for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on January 9. After this match, Guardiola's side are not back in Premier League action until January 14, when they have the small matter of a trip to Liverpool.
7.35pmDe Bruyne was seen as a major doubt for this match after taking a heavy challenge from Jason Puncheon in the latter stages of the clash with Palace, but the Belgian starts tonight. As mentioned, David Silva is also back for the league leaders, while Stones comes in at centre-back. It is a very, very strong City XI, and it promises to be a tough evening for a Watford side struggling for form.
7.38pm
💬 | More from Marco Silva on tonight's #watfordfc team news, plus the challenge that awaits his side at the Etihad Stadium. pic.twitter.com/dyrRXaYZ7W
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) January 2, 2018
7.42pmWatford will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea at the weekend. The Hornets have actually only won once in the Premier League since the end of November, and have suffered defeats in their least three league games on the road. The omens are not exactly great!
7.45pmWatford's poor form in recent weeks has seen them drop down to 10th position in the Premier League table. They are now nine points off seventh-placed Burnley, and just three points above Newcastle United in 13th. There is a danger that Watford's season could tail off in the next couple of months.
7.48pmThis is what is happening elsewhere in the Premier League tonight...
Southampton vs. Crystal Palace (7.45pm kickoff)
Swansea City vs. Tottenham Hotspur (7.45pm kickoff)
West Ham United vs. West Bromwich Albion (8pm kickoff)
7.52pm
7 – @ManCity have won their last seven meetings with Watford in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 24-3. Trounce.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2018
7.55pmHere we go then - both sets of players have joined us in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at the Etihad Stadium. Can City bounce back from the goalless draw with Palace last time out, or will Watford claim a positive result? It is City against Watford on this cold Manchester night, and kickoff is next!
0 minKICKOFF! City kick things off on home soil...
1 min... you do get the feeling that Watford need to start well here if they are to stand any chance of picking up a positive result. An early goal for City and things could get very nasty indeed.
1 minGOAL! Man City 1-0 Watford (Sterling)
2 minGood grief. Man City take the lead inside the first minute as Sane breaks down the left before delivering a stunning low cross towards the far post, where Sterling is on hand to tap home!
4 minSo much for Watford starting well. The visitors are already climbing a mountain here. It would not be a surprise to see another one go in in the next couple of minutes as City continue to probe.
5 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Stones to make it 2-0 as the City centre-back meets a cross from the left, but he fires over the crossbar from close range. What a chance.
7 minThis is tough for Watford. Very, very tough. The Hornets have not had the ball in City's half of the field thus far as the home side continue to dominate. It has been so incredibly one-sided here.
8 min
00:38 - At 38 seconds, Raheem Sterling's goal is the fastest scored in the Premier League this season, and the third fastest scored by Manchester City in Premier League history. Blocks.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2018
9 minGray's pace takes him behind the City defence, but Ederson is out to make the save. It was a difficult chance for the Watford striker as the ball was bouncing high above his waist.
12 minSilva pokes a low cross into the Watford boss as City threaten once again, but Gomes is on hand to claim. The home side look capable of scoring every time they break into the final third, but Watford are starting to have bits and pieces on the counter-attack. This needs a Watford goal for the neutral.
13 minGOAL! Man City 2-0 Watford (Kabasele OG)
14 minCity double their lead in the 13th minute as Watford defender Kabasele turns a De Bruyne cross into the back of his own net from close range. The Hornets just cannot deal with the hosts here.
16 minThis score could be anything. Watford just cannot defend, and City are driving forward. Sane is causing all sorts of problems down the left as he continues to collect the ball in dangerous areas.
17 minCROSSBAR! De Bruyne rattles the crossbar with a super free kick from outside the Watford box. Silva had won the set piece, and De Bruyne came close to making it 3-0.
20 minWatford have managed to keep the ball in City's half of the field in the last couple of minutes, but no chances to report. The Hornets are already playing for damage limitation, which is such a shame.
22 minNot much of an atmosphere it must be said, while there are plenty of empty seats inside the stadium despite City's incredible form this season. It is like a training match at the moment.
24 minJanmaat just cannot get near Sane in this match as the City winger continues to hold a wide position on the left. Janmaat does not know what day of the week it is as he has to chase back once again.
24 minBOOKING! D.Silva (City) is booked for a kick out at Watson.
26 minRicharlison has struggled to get in this match, with the Brazilian isolated in the final third of the field. Gray has also not been involved since that early half-chance. It is tough for Watford here.
28 minThere have been a few mis-placed passes from City in the last couple of minutes, but at 2-0, they can afford it. The onus is on Watford to press forward, and to be fair, the Hornets are doing just that.
30 minJanmaat has the chance to race forward for the away side, but the right-back's effort was always moving wide of the post. A Watford goal before the break would make things more interesting here.
31 min
13 - Christian Kabasele is just the seventh player in Premier League history to score an own goal in the 13th minute of a game. Unlucky. pic.twitter.com/nFAD6FyyY1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 2, 2018
31 minSAVE! Super save from Ederson to keep out Gray in a one-on-one!
33 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and City still lead 2-0. Watford have had a couple of chances to hit back through Gray, but the striker has taken neither. There have been signs that the visitors are capable of causing problems on the counter-attack in this match.
35 minAguero dances into the Watford box as he attempts to make space for a shot, but the away side manage to clear their lines. A third for City at this stage would certainly be game, set and match.
37 minIt is all very tight in Watford's half of the field at the moment. City are attempting to pass through the lines, but the visitors have not conceded a chance for some time. It is more of an even game now.
38 minSilva fires over for City after more excellent work from Sane in a wide position.
41 minGood goalkeeping from Gomes as the Watford stopper manages to beat Aguero to a loose ball in side the away team's box. Gomes needs some treatment before returning to his feet, but will be fit to continue. It is so important that the Hornets do not concede a third in the final stages of the first period.
43 minWatford boss Marco Silva looks absolutely furious on the touchline at the moment. His scowl is there for all to see. Gray goes over to have a sip of water, and Silva does not change his expression.
44 minComfortable save for Ederson as the City stopper gets down to deny Capoue.
45+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period here.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: Man City 2-0 Watford
8.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man City leading Watford 2-0 courtesy of an early strike from Sterling and own goal from Kabasele. Watford have had some decent moments on the counter-attack, but the home side deserve their lead at the interval here.
8.52pmSTATISTICS! Man City dominated the first-half possession with 76%, while they had nine attempts - five of which were on target. Watford, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their four attempts. Just the one yellow card to report - D.Silva in the 24th minute for a tug on Watford's Watson.
8.57pmBENCH WATCH! Watford boss Silva has the likes of Cleverley, Pereyra and Sinclair on his bench tonight, but Will Hughes and Troy Deeney are unavailable through injury and suspension respectively. As for Man City, Guardiola has second-half options in the shape of B.Silva and Toure.
46 minRESTART! Watford resume the action at the Etihad Stadium...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minHalf-chance for the home side to make it 3-0 as De Bruyne delivers a dangerous cross into the Watford box, but Aguero heads wide of the post. Should have done better from that position!
51 minSane continues to cause problems in a wide area as the German races clear of Janmaat, and the right-back has to foul the City attacker in a bid to regain the ball. Janmaat has had a tough night!
53 minPass, pass, pass from City as they continue to keep the ball in Watford's half of the field. A third for the home side would certainly kill the match as a contest, and Guardiola's side are looking for it.
55 minWatford simply cannot get the ball at the moment as City continue to pass and move. Aguero has a strike, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. It is a tough period for the away side here.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of football remaining, and City still lead 2-0. As it stands, they are moving 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table. Aguero has just gone down inside the box under a challenge from Kabasele, but the referee was not interested.
60 minHalf-chance for the home side as De Bruyne dances into the Watford box, but Janmaat is across to make a smart clearance. Janmaat has had an all-action night at the Etihad Stadium.
61 minWATFORD SUBS! Pereyra and Cleverley replace Watson and Capoue.
63 minGOAL! Man City 3-0 Watford (Aguero)
64 minMan City have their third of the match as Aguero pokes home from close range after Gomes had pushed a cross from De Bruyne straight into the path of the Argentine forward!
66 minWatford are sinking deeper and deeper here as City continue to search for more goals.
68 minMAN CITY SUB! Danilo replaces Stones for the home side.
70 minDe Bruyne finds Sane with a brilliant flick inside the Watford box, but Kabasele is on hand to make a brilliant block. That is really super defending from the away side's centre-back.
71 minMAN CITY SUB! Toure replaces Fernandinho for the home side.
73 minBoth managers have one change remaining, but there is no movement on either bench at the moment. Still more than 15 minutes for City to add to the scoring on home soil.
75 minCity have simply been too good for Watford tonight. The Hornets just need to be careful that their season does not drift away after a poor few weeks. Silva will be concerned by his team's form.
77 minAll City at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the final third.
79 minDe Bruyne has one deflected wide of the post as the Belgian looks to get his name on the sheet.
79 minMAN CITY SUB! De Bruyne is replaced by Bernardo Silva.
82 minGOAL! Man City 3-1 Watford (Gray)
83 minWatford have one back at the Etihad Stadium as Gray converts from close range after smart work from Carrillo in a wide position. At least the away side's fans have something to cheer!
83 minWATFORD SUB! Sinclair replaces Richarlison for the away side.
84 minBOOKING! Pereyra (Watford) is booked for a poor challenge on D.Silva.
86 minLittle under five minutes of football remaining here, and it is currently a very open game.
88 minCity have looked very unsure at the back since Stones went off the field, which is credit to the England international. The home side again break through Toure, who looks for Aguero, but Gomes is on hand to collect. Still 3-1 to the league leaders with 88 minutes on the clock here.
90 minSmart save from Gomes to keep out a strike from Sterling as City threaten a fourth.
90+1 minWe are into the first of four additional minutes at the end of the match.
90+3 minWatford have played quite well in the last 10 or 15 minutes, but it is too little, too late. Pereyra has just gone down inside the City box, but the referee was not interested.
90+4 minWe are into the final minute of stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: Man City 3-1 Watford
9.52pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with City running out 3-1 winners over Watford to move 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
