BBC-Five goals in the first 18 minutes set
Manchester City on their way as they ripped apart a woeful Watford team to cut
Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
City had already bounced back from last weekend’s humbling by Norwich with a
clinical Champions League win at Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, but this was a
timely reminder of their ruthlessness and attacking power.
Bernardo Silva scored a hat-trick as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot to clinch
their biggest league win since he took charge in 2016. They also hit the
woodwork twice and continued to chase further goals until the end, but a record
victory eluded them.
Manchester United’s 9-0 win over Ipswich in 1995 remains the biggest victory
in the Premier League era but City become only the seventh team to win a
top-flight game by an eight-goal margin in the modern era.
City scored the opener after 52 seconds through David Silva before Sergio
Aguero added a penalty and Riyad Mahrez struck via a deflection.
Bernarndo Silva headed the fourth and Nicolas Otamendi slid in the fifth.
After the break City’s intensity eased but Bernarndo Silva struck twice more
and Kevin de Bruyne slammed in the eighth.
In other results, Leicester City bounced back from their 1-0 loss to
Manchester United last weekend to beat Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 while Burnley
defeated Norwich 2-0.
Alex Iwobi’s Everton lost 0-2 at home to Sheffield United while Newcastle
and Brighton are currently playing goalless.
