Watford are hosting Manchester City this afternoon in the Premier League. Watford beat Manchester United in November but they’ve been unable to continue that good form, with losses to Leicester and Chelsea. But the United match does show they pose a threat which Pep Guardiola is aware of, particularly now they are under the reign of Claudio Ranieri. Guardiola said: “I admire a lot that passion and energy. It will be a pleasure to see him again. I know results against him are not always good. I know exactly what they want to do but what they do they do it really well. We have to be careful and make another good performance.”
And the praise has gone both ways in the build up to the match with Ranieri heaping positivity on Guardiola. The Watford boss said: “Guardiola is working very well, he has built a fantastic quality team and they can make the difference in every situation and for this reason, we must be focused on the match 100 per cent.” A win for Watford will put some distance between them and the relegation zone which is currently just a table spot and three points below them.
Follow all the latest updates below, after the conclusion of Wolves vs Liverpool.
Half-time: Watford 0-2 Man City
A look at Raheem Sterling’s opener…
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:22
Half-time: Watford 0-2 Man City
Watford have had some spells of possession but it has been all City in the first half.
An early goal from Sterling crushed the hosts who were scrambling for the following ten minutes. Ranieri’s side built themselves back into it but Silva’s goal at 30 minutes drained the hope from Watford.
Even in the added time of the first 45 Watford conceded a corner with Bachmann their only saviour.
The question on everyone’s lips now is how ruthless will City be in this second half?
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:19
Watford 0-2 Man City
45 mins: City won a corner as defenders expelled the ball from a Gundogan attack. Bachmann collected and cleared his lines.
More City pressure and possession closed out normal time and it feels that is how the remainder of the match is going to play out. Two minutes added time at Vicarage Road.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:16
Watford 0-2 Man City
40 mins: City were gifted a free kick as Dennis challenged Grealish. It added to the dominance City have held throughout this first half. They once again built towards goal as their fans chanted.
Cancelo managed to cross into the box but Watford defenders did enough to repel the attack.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:11
Watford 0-2 Man City
35 mins: Watford look depleted after that Silva goal and it’s letting City have the potential to build their score. The hosts were lucky Foden fluffed his attempt.
Ranieri looks disappointed on the side lines, not least as his sparkling record against city is about to be obliterated. He as a manager is unbeaten in his last nine encounters against Guardiola’s side.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:06
GOAL! Watford 0-2 Man City (SILVA 30)
It was coming really wasn’t it but you have to feel for Bachmann. Gundogan struck first with the keeper making a good save but the ball came back out and Bernardo Silva hit home.
Frustrating for Watford who had started to build into this match. Also worth noting Rose was booked for a challenge on Grealish just before the goal.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:02
Watford 0-1 Man City
29 mins: Watford won their first corner of the match but it was punched away by Ederson. City launches a counter from it but Dennis did well to intercept the ball.
Cancelo poked a shot but it went hugely wide.
Watford almost had a defensive blunder and the ball was headed back to the keeper with Grealish charging it down. Bachmann, who has been brilliant so far, saw Grealish off.
A challenge by Laporte gave away a free kick to the hosts. Dennis struck the set-piece but Ederson collected.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 18:01
Watford 0-1 Man City
24 mins: Grealish has another two shots, he’s hungry for a goal today isn’t he! Another great save from Bachmann keeps his side in the match with the other shot sailing over the bar.
Four shots for the English star so far which is the most he’s had in a single match for City since signing in the summer.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 17:55
Watford 0-1 Man City
19 mins: There’s been more promise from the hosts.
Dennis had a shot at goal but Ederson collected it at the near post. Watford have settled since the early goal and have shaken the stunned affect from it.
Of course City are still creating opportunities but the defence doesn’t have the desperate chaotic edge it had in the early stages.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 17:51
Watford 0-1 Man City
15 mins: Watford patched some attack with Dennis just outmuscled by City in the box.
The hosts had more go forward but City manage to get the ball back with Foden hitting the deck from a challenge by Cleverley. The Watford man visibly angry as he believes Foden dove.
Sarah Rendell4 December 2021 17:47