English Premier League
Result: Watford 1-2 Manchester City
Date: 04 December 2018
Venue: Vicarage Road
African superstar Riyad Mahrez bagged a goal and an assist as Manchester City defeated Watford 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
City manager Pep Guardiola made six changes following their 3-1 win at home to Bournemouth, with star striker Sergio Aguero missing through injury while Raheem Sterling started on the bench.
Watford, missing Etienne Capoue, were looking to not be overawed by the blistering play from the league leaders.
Ben Foster made a big save after 10 minutes after Leroy Sane was sent one-on-one with the shot-stopper, but he was spared with a left-handed outstretched save after a dink attempt.
Foster was keeping Watford in the game after managing to race off his line yet again to deny Riyad Mahrez's quest to get on the front-foot and denied Bernardo Silva on the follow-up too.
The Hornets first chances was a big one which required an equally good save from Ederson, who poked out his left leg to deny Troy Deeney from five metres out.
For City, it was only a matter of time before rattling the net and Sane made up for the earlier miss to chest home a pin-point cross from Mahrez five minutes before the break.
In a matter of minutes in the second half, the Citizens were two up when Mahrez guided home a cross from the left by Jesus.
With the lead intact, the English champions went in search for more goals but were restricted to thorough defending from the hosts.
Jesus did came close to adding to their tally, but he was unable to direct a high ball on target as his header went over the top.
In a rare attacking display, Watford surged forward to get on the score-sheet yet again but Abdoulaye Doucoure from close range shot straight at an advancing Ederson.
Nine minutes to the end, Mahrez was able to turn inside to get a shot away on the edge of the box but Foster was able to pull out an outstretched hand to stop him from finding the bottom corner.
The home side set up a nervy end to the match in the final minutes when Doucoure scrambled home a loose ball over the line following poor defending to reduce the deficit.
The result sees City open up a five-point gap on second-place Liverpool, who take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday.
Other results:
Bournemouth 2-1 Huddersfield Town
West Ham United 3-1 Cardiff City
Brighton Hove Albion 3-1 Crystal Palace
