Manchester City survive late scare against Watford

Relive all the action from Manchester City's visit to Watford

Manchester City 2018/19 Premier League profile

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with a 2-1 win at Watford thanks to the magic of Riyad Mahrez on Tuesday.

The home side had kept City at bay for most of the first half but Ben Foster's goal was finally breached five minutes before the break when a cross from Algerian Mahrez was edged past the goalkeeper by the chest of Leroy Sane.

Mahrez scored himself shortly after halftime by firing in with his devastating left foot from the middle of the area.

City were easing to another victory when Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled the ball home after a goal-line scramble five minutes from time to give Pep Guardiola's side a nervy finish.

Watford, who have not won since October, pressed in vain for an equaliser as they suffered their third successive defeat.

Reuters

Relive all the action below

What time does it start?

Watford vs Manchester City kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 4 December.

Where can I watch?

Watford vs Manchester City will be shown live on BT Sport 1. Subscribers can also stream the game online or via the BT Sport App.

Highlights will be shown on Wednesday at 22:45 on BBC One.

Player to watch

City have scored a huge amount more than any other team in the league, but their conviction at the other end of the field has been criminally unsung. At the heart of this is Aymeric Laporte. The Frenchman distributes the ball exceptionally well- he’s behind only Jorginho for completed passes. Without the ball his aggressive defending on the front foot has denied forwards space and helped City stay high up the pitch. As long as he isn’t rested, Laporte looks set to continue his imperious vain of form.

Form guide

Watford: WLDLL

Manchester City: WWWWW

Odds

Watford: 9/1

Draw: 9/2

Manchester City: 2/

[4 December 2018 19:31 · Michael Jones]

Bournemouth vs Huddersfield

There has been plenty of goals in previous fixtures between the two teams. Bournemouth won 4-0 last November with Callum Wilson scoring a hat-trick.

Huddersfield then bagged 4 in the return fixture in February a the Terriers triumphed 4-1.

Even when these team competed in the Championship there were goals galore as Huddersfield won 5-1 in August 2013, James Vaughan scored a hat-trick on that day.

And on the first day of the 2014-15 season Eddie Howe's side romped to a 4-0 away win.

So based on the evidence we could be in a a spectacle at the Vitality Stadium. 

[4 December 2018 19:38 · Michael Jones]

West Ham vs Cardiff

Things don't look too good for Cardiff tonight. Although they come into the match on the back of a win on Friday night their manager, Neil Warnock, hasn't won in 12 visits to London in the Premier League, losing 10 and drawing 2.   

[4 December 2018 19:41 · Michael Jones]

Five minutes until kick off for:

West Ham vs Cardiff

Bournemouth vs Huddersfield

Brighton vs Crystal Palace

with Watford vs Man City getting underway at 8pm.

[4 December 2018 19:45 · Michael Jones]

Let's do this:

West Ham 0 - 0 Cardiff

Bournemouth 0 - 0 Huddersfield

Brighton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

[4 December 2018 19:50 · Michael Jones]

2 mins: West Ham 0 - 0 Cardiff

Sean Morrison gets in behind the Hammers defence as Camarasa feeds a through ball to him but the linesman rules him offside. 

[4 December 2018 19:54 · Michael Jones]

3 mins: Bournemouth 0 - 0 Huddersfield

Huddersfield have a couple of good chances as Florent Hadergjonaj gets into the box down the right before shooting after getting on the end of a cross by Mooy.

Hadergjonaj gets in the box again but this time puts the ball high and wide to the left of the goal following a corner. 

[4 December 2018 19:55 · Michael Jones]

5 mins: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Huddersfield - Wilson

Ryan Fraser whips the ball into the centre of the box and Callum Wilson rises above everyone else and heads the ball into the middle of the net to give Bournemouth the lead. 

[4 December 2018 19:57 · Michael Jones]

9 mins: Brighton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

Solly March takes a shot from range for Brighton but it's closed down and blocked well by Palace's defence. 

[4 December 2018 20:01 · Michael Jones]

Watford 0 - 0 Man City

We're underway at Vicarage Road, City hitting the ball long down the right but giving away a throw in.

[4 December 2018 20:02 · Michael Jones]

11 mins: West Ham 0 - 0 Cardiff

Arnautovic gets the ball into Cardiff's area for West Ham and Felipe Anderson takes a left-footed shot but it's blocked.