Manchester City ease to victory over Watford as Raheem Sterling grabs first goal

Raheem Sterling scored his first goal for Manchester City as they beat Watford 2-0.

Manchester City utterly dominated the first half in terms of possession, putting together around 100 more passes than Watford by the half hour mark alone. They also had the most chances, going close with Sergio Aguero, and forcing Heurelho Gomes into smart saves from Raheem Sterling and Bacary Sagna.

But they held on, playing with 11 men behind the ball at almost all periods of the match. Troy Deeney, nominally a striker, played much of the match close to his own penalty box.

In the second half, City quickly made the breakthrough, when Bacary Sagna crossed for Sterling to tap in just in front of goal after only two minutes. Ten minutes later it was two, as Fernandinho smashed a shot past Gomes having been teed up by Silva.

Watford had a brief rally towards the end of the match, but only because City allowed them some time on the ball as the clock ran down.

27’ - SAGNA SHOT: Kompany spins in the box to find room, lays the ball off for Sagna, and his shot from a tight angle is stopped by Gomes.

27’ - GOMES SAVE: Sterling bursts past two defenders from outside the box, and pulls a shot across goal that Gomes sends just wide of the near post.

39’ - AGUERO SHOT: Aguero picks up the ball on the edge of the box. He finds room for a shot, and sends an effort just wide of the post.

47’ - GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Watford. Sterling scores: Sagna runs on the right wing, has space for a cross, and Sterling is free, ahead of Prodl, to tap it in.

56’ - GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Watford. Fernandinho scores: Silva plays a one-two with Fernandinho, finding him with a reverse pass down the right, and he smashes a shot past Gomes.

76’ - TOURE SHOT: Sterling, Nasri and Kolarov combine, Kolarov finds Toure lurking on the edge of the box, and he curls a shot just wide of goal.

87' - NASRI SHOT: Nasri has space for a shot from about 25-30 yards out, and his curling effort is thumped away by Gomes.

Watford have won just three of their 40 Premier League away matches (W3 D7 L30).

The Citizens have won 15 and lost just one of their last 19 Premier League home games, winning the last nine in a row.

City have taken an early lead in the Premier League, and don’t appear likely to give it up soon. With Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all stumbling, City are taking advantage by getting as many points on the board as early as possible. City have Kevin De Bruyne to come, to replace their only weak link today - Jesus Navas. They seem too well equipped to be challenged by any side in the league until the rest find their feet.

David Silva (Manchester City): Silva continued his excellent early season form. With a defence, midfield and attack all sitting back for Watford, the responsibility rested on him as playmaker. He released Bacary Sagna to set up Raheem Sterling’s goal, and then played a clever reverse pass for Fernandinho to finish for the second.

Manchester City: Hart 6, Sagna 7, Mangala 6, Kompany 6, Kolarov 6, Fernandinho 7, Yaya Toure 7, Silva 7, Sterling 7, Navas , Aguero 6. Subs: Nasri 6, Iheanacho 6, Delph 6.

Watford: Gomes 6, Nyom 5, Prödl 5, Cathcart 6, Holebas 5, Behrami 5, Capoue 6, Jurado 5, Ighalo 6, Abdi 6, Deeney 6. Subs: Watson 6, Layun 6, Anya 6.