Man City return to winning ways with 2-0 triumph against Watford

Manchester City picked up a long overdue win at the Etihad Staidum, comfortably cruising past Watford 2-0 to stay within 7 points of the Premier League's runaway leaders Chelsea.

A 33rd minute goal from veteran Argentine full back Pablo Zabaleta calmed the nerves around the Etihad after the defender stroked home Kevin de Bruyne's inch perfect cross to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.

Raheem Sterling was unlucky not to double Man City's lead after seeing his shot cannon back off the woodwork after picking up the ball from the middle of the park and running at goal for nearly 30 yards.

Odion Ighalo should have brought Watford level shortly after, missing one of the rare opportunities that the visitors created, having been passed around for most of the game.

David Silva finally helped the home fans relax by wrapping up the match in the 86th minute, coming from deep and playing a neat 1-2 with Sterling, before finishing well past Heurelho Gomes.

Gomes was on hand to deny Silva a late second, but it mattered little as Manchester City picked up three important points, much to the relief of Manager Pep Guardiola.

Goal scorer Pablo Zabaleta said after the game, "It has been a long time without a win playing at home, it has been strange. It was not the prettiest game tonight but we had determination to win the game. We had the clean sheet we've been talking about and were solid defensively. Today we were really good at the back and we took our chances. We deserved to win."

Speaking about his goal, the veteran Argentine added, "As a full-back you go into a game thinking you have to defend but when you have the chance to go forward especially at the far post and attack the space, it is good. It was a great cross from Kevin de Bruyne and a good finish for a full-back!"

Man City's win, their first in the Premier League at home in virtually a couple of months, also ended a run of consecutive defeats as the former Premier League champions cut the gap between them and third placed Arsenal down to a point. City can leapfrog the Gunners at the weekend when Arsenal come calling at the Etihad.

Teams:

Manchester City: Bravo, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy, Gundogan (Fernando 44'), Yaya Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne (Sane 89'), Silva, Nolito (Navas 81')

Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Fernando, Navas, Stones, Sane, Iheanacho

Watford: Gomes, Janmaat (Success 60'), Prödl, Britos, Holebas; Pereyra (Zuniga 30'), Guedioura, Capoue; Amrabat, Ighalo, Sinclair (Deeney 72').

Subs: Pantilimon, Kaboul, Deeney, Success, Zuniga, Watson, Kabasele

Final Score: Manchester City 2-0 Watford (Zabaleta 33', Silva 86')

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