Raheem Sterling's three goals against Watford came in the space of just 13 second-half minutes
Raheem Sterling's quick-fire second-half hat-trick sent Manchester City four points clear at the top of the Premier League, but there was controversy over the opener that broke down a stubborn Watford side.
With the game goalless at the start of the second half, Sterling was challenged by Daryl Janmaat as he ran on to Sergio Aguero's flick and the ball cannoned off him and into the net.
Sterling was clearly offside when Aguero chested the ball into his path and the lineman's flag went up. But, after a long discussion with his fellow official, referee Paul Tierney overruled his decision, to the disbelief of the Hornets players.
There was no disputing the legality of Sterling's second goal, which came only four minutes later when he tapped in Riyad Mahrez's cross at the far post after a flowing City move.
And, just before the hour mark, the 24-year-old England forward made it 3-0, running on to a David Silva pass and cutting past two defenders before slotting home his 18th goal of the season.
Watford, who had made seven changes ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace next weekend, belatedly threw on Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu - two of those to be left out.
The pair combined seconds later to pull a goal back with their first touches when Deeney flicked on a long ball for Deulofeu to fire home with his side's first shot at goal, after 66 minutes.
It proved to be only a consolation rather than the start of an unlikely comeback, with City comfortably holding on to clinch their sixth successive league win.
Their four-point lead is their biggest advantage at the top since 4 December, although Liverpool can cut the gap when they host Burnley on Sunday.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Man City
31Ederson
2WalkerBooked at 6mins
4Kompany
30Otamendi
35Zinchenko
20Bernardo Silva
8Gündogan
21Silva
26MahrezSubstituted forFodenat 90'minutes
10AgüeroSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 80'minutes
7SterlingSubstituted forSanéat 64'minutes
Substitutes
3Danilo
14Laporte
18Delph
19Sané
33Gabriel Jesus
47Foden
49Muric
Watford
26Foster
2Janmaat
27Kabasele
3BritosSubstituted forCathcartat 82'minutes
11Masina
21FemeníaSubstituted forDeulofeuat 66'minutes
16Doucouré
29Capoue
8CleverleyBooked at 18mins
10SuccessSubstituted forDeeneyat 66'minutes
18Gray
Substitutes
1Gomes
7Deulofeu
9Deeney
12Sema
15Cathcart
20Quina
25Holebas
Referee:
Paul Tierney
Attendance:
54,104
Match Stats
Home TeamMan CityAway TeamWatford
Possession
Home71%
Away29%
Shots
Home19
Away2
Shots on Target
Home9
Away1
Corners
Home9
Away1
Fouls
Home11
Away7
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Manchester City 3, Watford 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Manchester City 3, Watford 1.
Posted at 90'+4'
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Vincent Kompany.
Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt blocked. Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 90'+3'
Foul by Vincent Kompany (Manchester City).
Posted at 90'+3'
Troy Deeney (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+2'
Offside, Manchester City. Ilkay Gündogan tries a through ball, but Gabriel Jesus is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 90'
Substitution, Manchester City. Phil Foden replaces Riyad Mahrez.
Posted at 88'
Attempt missed. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Posted at 88'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Daryl Janmaat.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Vincent Kompany (Manchester City).
Posted at 86'
Troy Deeney (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 85'
Attempt missed. Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 84'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Christian Kabasele.
Posted at 84'
Attempt blocked. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a through ball.
SubstitutionPosted at 82'
Substitution, Watford. Craig Cathcart replaces Miguel Britos because of an injury.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).
Posted at 82'
Christian Kabasele (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 80'
Substitution, Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus replaces Sergio Agüero.
Posted at 79'
Attempt missed. Leroy Sané (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David Silva.
Posted at 79'
Attempt saved. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a through ball.
Posted at 78'
Attempt saved. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Silva.
Posted at 78'
Leroy Sané (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 78'
Foul by Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford).
Posted at 77'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Daryl Janmaat.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City).
Posted at 75'
Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 70'
Foul by Leroy Sané (Manchester City).
Posted at 70'
Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 69'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 68'
Delay in match Etienne Capoue (Watford) because of an injury.
Posted at 68'
Attempt blocked. Leroy Sané (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 67'
David Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford).
Goal!Posted at 66'
Goal! Manchester City 3, Watford 1. Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Troy Deeney with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Watford. Gerard Deulofeu replaces Kiko Femenía.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Watford. Troy Deeney replaces Isaac Success.
SubstitutionPosted at 64'
Substitution, Manchester City. Leroy Sané replaces Raheem Sterling.
Posted at 64'
Foul by David Silva (Manchester City).
Posted at 64'
Etienne Capoue (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Source: bbc.com