“The game is always open here in England, Watford have impressed me. They have amazing strikers, strong and physical, but my players played with the spirit”, Pep Guardiola – 14/12/2016.
Goals; Zabaleta (33), Silva (86');
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (8.5)
Clichy (6.5)
Otamendi (6)
Kolorov (6)
Toure (7.5)
Sterling (7.5)
Gündogan (5.5), (Fernando 44' (6))
Silva (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Navas 81' (5.5))
De Bruyne (7), (Sane 89' (5.5))
Stats;Possession, 64%/36%; Shots, 12(6)/5(2); Corners, 5/2; Fouls, 16/20
Referee; Kevin Friend (6.5)
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (8.5)
Clichy (6.5)
Otamendi (6)
Kolorov (6)
Toure (7.5)
Sterling (7.5)
Gündogan (5.5), (Fernando 44' (6))
Silva (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Navas 81' (5.5))
De Bruyne (7), (Sane 89' (5.5))
Stats;Possession, 64%/36%; Shots, 12(6)/5(2); Corners, 5/2; Fouls, 16/20
Referee; Kevin Friend (6.5)
A much more solid performance, and a much needed 3 points, kept City at least in sight of Chelsea (7 points clear), and within breathing distance of Arsenal and Liverpool (1 point ahead).
Following the debacle at the King Power on Saturday, Pep again rang the changes. Nolito's hard running and closing up front, prefered to young Iheanacho's raw skill, and Yaya's power and comfort on the ball, chosen over Fernandos more obvious tackling intent.
The first half followed the pattern of recent home games verses Middlesboro, Everton, and Southampton with plenty of possession, and glimpses, rather than spells, of the one touch football which pulled teams apart at the beginning of the season. Pleasing, however, was the defence seemingly much more comfortable in a more traditional four, allowing the full-backs to overlap, and also more purpose from all the players in the closing and pressing in the Watford half.
Zabaleta had been handed the Captains arm-band for the game, and was already leading by example with a number of purposeful overlaps and decent link up play with Sterling, before he latched onto De Bruyne's cross at the far post on 33', to calmly pass the ball past Gomes. 1-0. It was nearly two, six minutes later when Nolito's effort was well saved from another De Bruyne assist. All was well as City edged towards half time, except for that elusive second goal, which has evaded City so often at home this season, and cost them so dearly later in matches. Then, with what Pep said later could be serious ligament damage, Gündogan was forced off following a foul by Amrabat .
The second half proceeded much the same as the first with City dominating the ball, and Yaya, Silva, (both celebrating their 200th games in a City shirt) as well as De Bruyne showing some bright touches. That second goal, however, would still not come and with Troy Deeney brought on as substitute and with Ighalo squandering Watford's best chance of the game on 81', I for one had a sinking feeling of Deja Vu as Watford moved forward ten yards and pressed for an equaliser.
Watford's efforts were however in vain, and perhaps I should have shown more confidence, as on 86' City finally broke through. Watford's press broken on the left by a strong tackle from De Bruyne and a Sterling/Silva combination of passes ending with a deft left foot effort beating Gomes easily to make it 2-0.
So City move into another six pointer on Saturday with the game against Arsenal at the Etihad, hopefully buoyed by the fact they have beaten a Watford side who in turn beat Arsenal's nemesis from last night Everton only last week. So a win for City is a given surely :P ... #CTID.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
