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Manchester City record biggest-ever top-flight victory against Watford

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MAN CITY 8, WATFORD 0

Ruthless Manchester City marked their 125th anniversary with a record top-flight victory as they put eight goals past hapless Watford.

It was an afternoon when Watford suffered their heaviest defeat in English football as City exorcised the demons from last Saturday’s shock defeat at Norwich City.

The match was the closest to the 125th birthday and City weren’t going to slip up from the moment David Silva scored after 52 seconds, the quickest Premier League goal this season.

Pep Guardiola’s side was 5-0 ahead inside 18 minutes, the quickest side to reach that mark in the Premier League era.

Bernardo Silva scored the first hat-trick of his career as he was one of six different scorers, the third time that had happened in the Premier League era.

What a pity they just failed to equal the Premier League record 9-0 scoreline set by Manchester United against Ipswich Town in 1995.

City were so close as they were also denied three times by the woodwork in a game in which they had 28 goal attempts with 11 on target.

Watford will be glad to see the back of City as since May 2017 they have lost 5-0, 6-0 twice and 8-0 against them.

And since Watford’s last win against City in 1989, City have won 15 and drawn two of their 17 meetings.

This was City’s 12th straight victory against Watford with that impressive sequence producing 46 goals.

Pep says Man City treated Watford respectfully by scoring 8 goals to thrash them in the Premier League game played at the Etihad on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Guardiola was delighted with the way his side didn’t ease up when 5-0 ahead so early in the game.

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He said: “It was weird and not normal to have five shoots and score five goals, but we gave them (Watford) two chances which they might have scored on another day.

“We were ruthless scoring five goals when sometimes you might do 25 or 50 shots and don’t score.

“After the Champions League and a huge trip, we had not time to prepare. It was a lovely day for us and the City fans in the sunshine.

“When it is 5-0 it is normal for players not to deliver and play their own game. We were  more aggressive in the second half and pressed high.

“In the second half we were more than decent and played well. That’s what I liked.”

Quique Sanchez Flores says “sorry” to Watford fans after the 8-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2019

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores apologised to the club’s fans saying they knew after 30 seconds how difficult it would be adding the match was “done” after five minutes.

City made four changes from the side that won 3-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in their midweek Champions League game.

Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko were rested after playing every minute of every match while Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan also missed out.

There were recalls for Aguero, Benjamin Mendy and the two Silvas.

City made an electrifying start taking the lead after only 52 seconds when Kevin De Bruyne fired over a teasing cross that was converted by David Silva from three yards, an easy tap-in for the fastest Premier League goal of the season.

Watford came close to equalising in the fourth minute when Gerard Deulofeu broke free from Nicolas Otamendi only to see goalkeeper Ederson deflect his shot for a corner.

City went 2-0 ahead in the seventh minute after winning a penalty when Mahrez was brought down by keeper Ben Foster.

Aguero scored from the spot, his 100th goal at the Etihad and he has scored in all six league games this season, the first player to do this in Premier League history.

City added a third goal in the 12th minute after Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled Mahrez on the edge of the box.

The former Leicester City player picked himself up to score with the help of a wicked deflection off Tom Cleverley.

City were 4-0 ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour when De Bruyne’s corner was headed on Aguero for Bernardo Silva to nod home from inside five years.

And City added a fifth in the 18th minute when David Silva’s quickly-taken free kick released Aguero on the left and his low cross was converted by Otamendi who slid in unmarked at the far post.

Aguero had three chances in the remainder of the opening half to add a sixth goal, shooting narrowly wide when clean through, striking an upright with another well-struck effort and finally having a close-range header palmed out by Foster.

City made a change at the break with Angelino replacing Mendy at left-back.

The elusive sixth goal came three minutes after the restart after Watford failed to clear danger.

David Silva threaded a pass to Bernardo Silva who cut inside Crag Dawson before rolling a low shot past Foster.

City made a second substitution in the 54th minute when Kyle Walker made way for Joao Cancelo as the summer signing made his debut at the Etihad.

Aguero almost made it seven firing agonisingly wide from a Mahrez cut back as City continued to dominate.

Bernardo Silva completed his first City hat-trick on the hour stabbing the ball home from a couple of yards following a cross from De Bruyne.

Guardiola made his last change in the 63rd minute when Eric Garcia replaced Otamendi as the centre back made his Premier League debut.

City struck the woodwork for a third time when Mahrez headed against the bar from an Angelino cross.

De Bruyne made it 8-0 with a stunning strike in the 85th minute. Released by Mahrez, the Belgium cut in from the left of the penalty area before thundering an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

De Bruyne ought to have equalled Manchester United’s 9-0 Premier League record score when he wriggled free but dragged his shot narrowly wide.

But try as they did, City just could not conjure that ninth goal as the record score remains at Old Trafford.

Manchester City 8 (EIGHT), Watford 0 – Player Ratings

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Manchester City 8, Watford 0 – Player Ratings

Bernardo Silva hit a hat trick as eight goal Manchester City put Watford to the sword at the Etihad a week after their disappointing defeat at Norwich City.

They scored five times in 18 torrid minutes – the fastest any team has scored five goals in Premier League history – during which Sergio Aguero scored his 100th goal at the Etihad.

David Silva, Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, and Nicolas Otamendi scored before the popular Portuguese player hit his first hat trick for City and Kevin De Bruyne made it 8-0 with 5 minutes to go.

De Bruyne missed a chance to equal Manchester United’s record 9-0 drubbing of Ipswich Town in 1994 when he lashed a sitter wide at the end.

City had already hit the woodwork three times, missed several sitters and given slack Watford a complete nightmare.

Angelino and Joao Cancelo made their Etihad bows, and Eric Garcia came on for his Premier League debut. 

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 8 (EIGHT), Watford 0

Ederson: 7. Crucial save early on to deny Watford an equaliser

Kyle Walker: 7. Shuttled up and down the right flank.

Fernandinho: 8. Felt at home to Nicolas Otamendi’s left. Great timing to rob Gerard Deulofeu and set up a counter attack from which Sergio Aguero nearly scored.

Nicolas Otamendi: 7. Left for dead by Gerard Deulofeu who could have equalised early on for Watford. Had a few other shaky moments. Scored at the other end though before coming off for a rest as City racked up the goals.

Benjamin Mendy: 6. Low key return to the team after a long lay off. Taken off at half time after an easy run out.

Kevin De Bruyne: 9. In imperious form. Got an assist for David Silva’s opener and Bernardo’s hat trick and created so many chances before finishing one laid on by Riyad Mahrez into the roof of the net before narrowly missing the goal that would have equalled Manchester United’s record win.

Rodri: 8. Kept the engine room going, reassuring presence in midfield. Even had a shot in the second half.

David Silva. 8. Magical performance from Silva, fully deserved his early goal and could have set up more. 

Riyad Mahrez: 8. In form and finding plenty of space to exploit. His free kick deflected in off Tom Cleverley. Second half cut back should have been converted by Sergio Aguero but laid on the ball for De Bruyne’s second goal and almost found Aguero.

Bernardo Silva: 9. Couldn’t be contained by the confused Watford defence. Fully deserved hat trick. 

Sergio Aguero: 8. Scored from the penalty spot and could have had a couple more – hitting the woodwork twice, working Ben Foster hard and missing a few sitters. Unselfish, hard working, and dropped deep to help the build-up.

Angelino (on for Benjamin Mendy, 46): 6. Put some good crosses in.

Joao Cancelo (on for Kyle Walker, 54): 6. On for his home debut.

Eric Garcia (on for Nicolas Otamendi, 63): 6. Premier League bow for the City youngster.

GOALS – Manchester City 8 (EIGHT), Watford 0

Man City 1, Watford 0: 1. David Silva tapped in the opening goal from 3 yards out after 52 seconds following a sumptuous right wing cross by Kevin De Bruyne

Man City 2, Watford 0: 7. Sergio Aguero stepped up and stroked a penalty home after Ben Foster brought down Riyad Mahrez in the penalty area after Kevin De Bruyne has threaded him through. It was Aguero’s 100th goal at the Etihad. 

Man City 3, Watford 0: 12. Riyad Mahrez’s low free kick was deflected past Foster by Tom Cleverly after he was brought down on the edge of the area by Abdoulaye Doucoure on the edge of the area

Man City 4, Watford 0: 15. Bernardo Silva headed in Sergio Aguero’s flick on from Kevin De Bruyne’s corner. 

Man City 5, Watford 0: 18. Sergio Aguero’s cross into the 6 yard box was slid in by Nicolas Otamendi from 3 yards out after David Silva’s free kick released the Argentine striker

Man City 6, Watford 0: 49. Bernardo Silva stepped inside Craig Dawson and scored from 6 yards after David Silva passed the ball to him – City had kept going after Sergio Aguero had fluffed a header from Bernardo Silva’s cross and Watford failed to clear the ball.

Man City 7, Watford 0: 60. Bernardo Silva stabbed home from 3 yards after another sumptuous cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

Man City 8, Watford 0: 85. Kevin De Bruyne fired into the roof of the net for 8, after Riyad Mahrez switched play to the left flank where the Belgian was. 

MATCH STATS – Manchester City 8 (EIGHT), Watford 0

Man City: Ederson, Walker (Cancelo 54), Fernandinho, Otamendi (Eric Garcia 63), Mendy (Angelino 46), De Bruyne, Rodri, David Silva, Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Aguero 

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus

Bookings: Bernardo Silva 18, Angelino

Goals: David Silva 1; Aguero 7 pen; Mahrez 12; Bernardo Silva 15, 48, 60; Otamendi 18; De Bruyne 85

Watford: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Mariappa, Holebas, Capoue, Folquier (Pereyra 33), Cleverley, Doucoure, Hughes (Sarr 59), Deulofeu (Gray 77)

Watford Subs not used: Gomes, Janmaat, Chalobah, Kabasele

Bookings: Femenia 58 (foul on Bernardo Silva), Deulofeu

Referee: Mike Dean

Attendance: 54,273

Norwich City stun Manchester City with surprise win

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Norwich City 3, Manchester City 2

Manchester City crashed to their first Premier League defeat since January in a massive blow after losing 3-2 at Carrow Road to Norwich City.

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It was a shock result that that leaves them five points adrift of Liverpool after just five games, given last season’s tight margins in the title race with the Merseysiders the gap might already be fatal. 

The Canaries had conceded the most goals since the start of the season and had come up against the league’s top scorers so far – unbeaten in their last 24 games against newly promoted sides – but managed to upset the odds.

The Canaries had eight senior players missing and named two goalkeepers on the bench but City were missing their most important defender – Aymeric Laporte – who had suffered a serious knee injury.

The French defender was confirmed to be out for over 5 months – and City boss Pep Guardiola also opted to leave in-form Kevin De Bruyne on the bench. 

City paid the price for slack defending with John Stones partnering Nicolas Otamendi for only the fourth time under Guardiola since Laporte joined but City, notoriously poor at defending set pieces, only added to the growing list of embarrassments.

After enduring a torrent of City pressure, Norwich’s first corner was converted by Kenny McLean after 18 minutes, with Emiliano Buendia’s set piece looping over the diminutive Raheem Sterling at the near post to find his man unmarked.

Teemu Pukki unselfishly crossed for England Under 21 international Todd Cantwell to have a tap in after Norwich counter attacked with City overloaded upfield.

Sergio Aguero had earlier headed over the bar while Sterling had hit the woodwork with a header before the Argentine hit his 7th goal of the season with a header from Bernardo Silva’s left wing cross to reduce the deficit.

Early in the second half, Pukki had City on notice after some casual defending by John Stones but the Blues didn’t heed the warning and Otamendi was caught dawdling on the ball by Buendia who squared for another tap in by the Finnish striker.

It left a mountain to climb for City and Guardiola threw on De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, and Riyad Mahrez.

Otamendi’s header was tipped away by Tim Krul before Rodri scored his first goal for City after a lay off by Jesus with less than three minutes to go.

The goal proved too little too late with less than three minutes to go but the Canaries held off the final City onslaught for a famous win.

Goal machine Sergio Aguero leads way in Manchester City’s home win against Brighton

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MAN CITY 4, BRIGHTON 0

It was a routine day at the office for Manchester City as they overpowered brave Brighton to temporarily regain top spot in the Premier League.

Two goals for Sergio Aguero – that’s an incredible 237 in 342 appearances – and one apiece for Kevin De Bruyne and substitute Bernardo Silva made it 10 points from a possible 12 at the start of their league campaign.

Since last December’s home defeat by Crystal Palace, City have collected 52 points from a possible 54 at their Etihad fortress.

City were never troubled, though Brighton had a creditable 46 per cent possession, and with more clinical finishing could have won by twice the margin.

The only dampener was a serious knee injury sustained by centre-back Aymeric Laporte with manager Pep Guardiola admitting it does not look good and he will probably be out for some time.

With Vincent Kompany leaving and John Stones injured, Guardiola was forced to play midfielder Fernandinho at centre back as he has previously done on a couple of occasions.

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“He is intelligent, fast, strong, a strong header and he can play in both positions,” he said of the Brazilian.

Guardiola admitted it was a tougher game than the 4-0 scoreline suggested as he praised Brighton’s adventurous approach.

He said: “Brighton created more chances than those teams that have come here, defended and still lost 4-0.

“As a Brighton spectator they came to play and had two or three clear chances. If they had scored when it was 2-0 it might have been a different game.”

Guardiola added he was lucky to have “incredible players up front who make a difference”.

Pep Guardiola on Aymeric Laporte injury latest following Manchester City’s 4-0 win against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, August 31, 2019

City’s manager also praised Aguero saying he knew from day one he was a special talent.

“We need his goals and he helps up a lot with his goals. And when he does not score, you cannot fault his commitment. He is the sort of player who will die scoring goals,” he joked.

Graham Potter on his Brighton side’s performance at Manchester City on Saturday, August 31, 2019

City, whose players and Guardiola wore black arm bands in memory of the nine-year-old daughter of former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, who died of cancer, made two changes from the side that won 3-1 at Bournemouth as they faced another South Coast side.

There were recalls for Riyad Mahrez and Rodrigo as Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan lost out.

Brighton handed a debut to new £20 million centre back Adam Webster, a summer signing from Bristol City.

City took only 69 seconds to take the lead when De Bruyne made the breakthrough.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and David Silva linked on the left and the latter’s cut back was converted by De Bruyne who was free eight yards out.

It set a new club record of scoring in 26 consecutive league matches.

De Bruyne saw a drive flash just wide of the upright and David Silva shot off target from inside the six-yard box as City continued to dominate as Brighton found it hard to combat their high press.

Laporte left the field on a stretcher after injuring his right knee. He came off worst after a hefty challenge on Webster for which he was booked to add insult to injury.

Laporte was replaced by midfielder Fernandinho who slotted into the centre of defence.

De Bruyne provided the assist for City’s second goal in the 42nd minute with a cross from the right which Aguero, who cut inside, fired high into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Brighton’s best first-half chance came following a 4 v 3 break which ended with Leandro Trossard’s shot well blocked by Ederson.

Trossard has a great chance to half the deficit early in the second half, but his goalbound shot was headed cleared by Fernandinho.

Aguero showed how it ought to be done as he scored his second and City’s third goal in the 55th minute and his sixth in the first four league games.

Zinchenko and David Silva linked and Aguero curled a delightful effort into the top corner from 18 yards, his seven goal from his last seven on-target shots.

City had further chance to extend their lead as Raheem Sterling deflected Aguero’s shot narrowly wide and De Bruyne volleyed over.

Guardiola made a second change with 20 minutes left when De Bruyne was replaced by Gundogan.

And the third and final change in the 78th minute paid immediate dividends when Bernardo Silva, who replaced namesake David, scored with his first touch having been on the field for only 17 seconds.

Aguero provided the assist with a delightful reverse pass and Bernardo Silva slotted the ball low to the left of goalkeeper Matt Ryan.

Manchester City 4, Brighton 0 – Player Ratings

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MANCHESTER CITY 4, BRIGHTON 0

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win against Brighton but they lost Aymeric Laporte to a serious looking knee injury.

City boss Pep Guardiola made just two changes from the side that beat Bournemouth, with 

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after two minutes for City, converting David Silva’s cut back from the left.

De Bruyne missed a chance to double the scores from another Silva cut back while the Spaniard swept a ball wide as City were wasteful.

Aymeric Laporte was stretchered off after 37 minutes, booked for colliding with Adam Webster but he painfully injured his right knee in the process.

He was replaced by Fernandinho who slotted in at centre half but Brighton had steadied the ship.

Leandro Trossard had a couple of chances for Brighton, with a close range shot headed away by Fernandinho.

But City were soon in a commanding lead with goals either side of the break by Sergio Aguero who turned in De Bruyne’s cross before curling one in past Matthew Ryan in the second half.

Aguero then turned provider to play in Bernardo Silva for City’s 4th just 17 seconds after he came on to finish off the Seagulls.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 4, Brighton 0

Ederson: 7. Little to do until a save from Leandro Trossard during a 4 v 3 break for Brighton, and tipped away a Pascal Gross effort late in the game.

Kyle Walker: 6. Put his England disappointment behind him to battle hard for the ball.

Nicolas Otamendi: 6. Solid defending. Was a bit slow getting back to his own half when Brighton were breaking and sold Fernandinho short at the end of the game with a pass before recovering it.

Aymeric Laporte: 6. Good distribution but seriously injured when he collided with Adam Webster and was stretchered off after 37 minutes.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7. Set up David Silva for his early cross and Kevin De Bruyne’s goal.

Kevin De Bruyne: 8. In a rich vein of form. Tap in open the scoring. Went wide after David Silva threaded him through again and volleyed wide in the second half.

Rodri: 7. Quiet game. Did well protecting the back four and improved after the break.

David Silva: 8. Another assist to add to his collection, setting up Kevin De Bruyne’s goal but sweeping a Raheem Sterling cutback wide himself before his touch allowed Aguero to score in the second half.

Riyad Mahrez: 7. Good footwork early on and tested Matthew Ryan a couple of times.

Raheem Sterling: 7. Quiet start but his cut back was almost turned in by David Silva and he diverted a Sergio Aguero chance wide.

Sergio Aguero: 9. Hardly a sniff but did his bit with the pressing and then took his chance just before the break after Kevin De Bruyne played him in from the right. He then doubled his tally after a great touch by David Silva to net his 7th goal in his last 7 shots on target. Unselfishly played in Bernardo Silva for his goal seconds after coming on.

Fernandinho (for Aymeric Laporte, 37): 7. Slotted in a centre back for his first appearance of the season and headed away Leandro Trossard’s goalbound scuffed shot.

Gundogan (for Kevin De Bruyne, 69): 6. Giving the Belgian a well deserved rest but his free kick was wayward.

Bernardo Silva (for David Silva, 78): No time to mark but the Portuguese midfielder scored 17 seconds after coming on.

GOALS – Manchester City 4, Brighton 0

Man City 1, Brighton 0: 2. David Silva’s cut back from the left was converted by Kevin De Bruyne from 8 yards out, sweeping in unmarked after Oleksandr Zinchenko released his captain down the left channel. 

Man City 2, Brighton 0: 42. Sergio Aguero finally doubled City’s advantage from De Bruyne’s cross after making space for himself 10 yards out. 

Man City 3, Brighton 0: 55. Sergio Aguero curled a great effort past Ryan from the edge of the box after a great touch on from David Silva off Zinchenko’s left wing cross again 

Man City 4, Brighton 0: 79. Bernardo Silva scored with his second touch 17 seconds after coming on following an unselfish pass from Sergio Aguero to put him clean through 

MATCH STATS – Manchester City 4, Brighton 0

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte (Fernandinho 37), Zinchenko, De Bruyne (Gundogan 69), Rodri, David Silva (Bernardo Silva 79), Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero 

Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Angelino, Cancelo, Foden

Booked: Laporte 35 (obstruction on Adam Webster), Gundogan 84 (dissent)

Goals: De Bruyne 2; Aguero 42, 55; Bernardo Silva 79

Brighton: Ryan, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Montoya, Stephens, Propper, March, Bernardo (Murray 67), Maupay (Connolly 67), Trossard (Gross 74)

Brighton Subs not used: Button, Duffy, Jahanbakhsh, Mooy 

Referee: Jonathan Moss