Manchester City 2-0 Watford

By Chris Bevan BBC Sport

Raheem Sterling's first goal for Manchester City ended Watford's resistance and helped his side continue their 100% winning start to the season.

The Hornets dug in well for the first half but the game changed 88 seconds after the interval when Sterling slotted home Bacary Sagna's cross.

Fernandinho made it 2-0 with a fierce finish from David Silva's pass.

Watford did not manage a single shot on target as City saw out the win to move three points clear at the top.

That works out at £49m a goal - MOTD host Gary Lineker's tongue-in-cheek response to seeing Raheem Sterling get off the mark for City

The victory was City's 10th in a row, breaking a 103-year-old club record, and they are still to concede a goal in any of their four Premier League games this season.

Watford, who had arrived at Etihad Stadium on the back of three straight draws, looked well organised as they frustrated the home side before the break but carried little threat when they tried to fight back after falling behind.

Reaction to this match and the rest of Saturday's action here

Relive Manchester City's victory over Watford

Hornets set out to stop City

Watford's gameplan worked superbly when the game was goalless, with City failing to find a way through the visitors in the first 45 minutes.

The Hornets did more than just work hard and defend in numbers, they kept City out thanks to some impressive organisation.

Troy Deeney was nominally Watford's lone striker in their 4-2-3-1 formation but actually operated as a deep-lying right-sided midfielder, helping to shield his defence when City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov made his frequent forays forward.

Average position of Man City and Watford players in the first half

Man City and Watford's average position in the first half

The average position of Man City and Watford players shows where the game was played in the first half. Watford striker Troy Deeney is their number nine in the graphic above. City defender Aleksandar Kolarov is their number 11.

City essentially faced two banks of five defenders, and the speed on their flanks offered by Sterling and Jesus Navas could not make a difference.

Sterling had City's best chance of the first half when his was shot turned round the post by Heurelho Gomes, but that was the only time he got a clear sight of goal.

City make changes to make the breakthrough

City tweeted at the final whistle to celebrate their new record

Last season, City boss Manuel Pellegrini was accused of tactical inflexibility when his team struggled to break down down defensive-minded sides.

But his half-time switch made the difference on Saturday - and showed the greater depth now available in his squad.

Navas was taken off and Silva moved over to the right, with Samir Nasri coming on to play on the left and Sterling being pushed up through the middle.

Within seconds, the change had an effect. Silva fed Sagna, whose cross was converted by Sterling six yards out.

It was an ominous sign for City's title rivals and Pellegrini's attacking options will only increase if, as expected, Kevin de Bruyne completes his move from Wolfsburg before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Belgium midfielder, who will cost more than £50m, is set to have a medical with City this weekend.

Man of the match - Man City's Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal for Man City

It was clear how much it meant to Raheem Sterling to score his first goal for City since his £49m move from Liverpool. His pace was City's biggest threat in the first half and he also showed he is capable of a cool finish with the way he broke the deadlock

Manager reaction

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Man City 2-0 Watford: Pellegrini satisfied with Watford win

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It was not frustrating in the first half. You can't expect to win the game inside 45 minutes against a team who defends well. We made some changes and we created more chances and won the game."

On goalscorer Raheem Sterling: "Raheem played very well. It was good for him to score. He worked very hard and I'm sure he'll score more goals."

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Flores pleased with fighting Watford

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores: "We were prepared for a difficult match and we were there to resist and contain City.

"They have some high quality technical and physical players so it is hard to do that here but we had the feeling in the first half they had a lot of problems, we defended well and restricted the space very well.

"It was disappointing to concede the goal so early in the second half but the difference between us and City is high, and we gave our best. Losing here while fighting to play well is a positive thing for Watford."

What next?

City will return to action after the international break with an intriguing top-of-the-table trip to Crystal Palace, who are second after their shock win over defending champions Chelsea.

Watford will continue their hunt for a first win of the season when they host Swansea.

The stats you need to know

Manchester City have become the ninth team to win 10 or more successive Premier League games.
Watford have won just three of their 40 Premier League away matches (W3 D7 L30).
Watford have failed to register a shot on target in their last two Premier League games.
Man City are unbeaten in their last 25 home Premier League games against newly promoted opposition (W23 D2 L0), with their last defeat coming against Reading in February 2007.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Manchester City

01 Hart
03 Sagna
04 Kompany Booked
20 Mangala
11 Kolarov
42 Y Touré
25 Fernandinho
15 Jesús Navas (Nasri - 45' )
21 Silva (Delph - 75' )
07 Sterling (Iheanacho - 89' )
10 Agüero

Substitutes

08 Nasri
13 Caballero
18 Delph
26 Demichelis
27 Roberts
50 Maffeo Becerra
72 Iheanacho

Watford

01 Gomes
02 Nyom Booked
05 Prödl Booked
15 Cathcart
25 Holebas
29 Capoue (Watson - 76' )
08 Behrami
22 Abdi (Anya - 63' )
07 Jurado
24 Ighalo (Layun - 72' )
09 Deeney

Substitutes

10 Vydra
19 Layun
21 Anya
23 Watson
31 Hoban
32 Diamanti
34 Arlauskis

Ref: Mark Clattenburg

Att: 53,218

Match Stats

Possession59 41

Shots

18 7

On target

5 0

Corners

9 3

Fouls

9 12

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Manchester City 2, Watford 0.

90:00 +2:05 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, Watford 0.

90:00 +1:32

Attempt blocked. Miguel Layún (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

90:00 +0:32

Foul by Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City).

90:00 +0:32

Valon Behrami (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

90:00 +0:06

Attempt blocked. Ikechi Anya (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by José Holebas.

89:12

Foul by Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City).

89:12

Jurado (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

88:16 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Manchester City. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Raheem Sterling.