Manchester City dramatically kept themselves right in the hunt for the Premier League title, as two late goals overcame a stubborn Watford side at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets had taken the lead early in the second half, as Ben Watson’s corner was deflected into his own net by left-back Aleksandar Kolarov. City were struggling to break down Quique Sanchez Flores’ men, but found a route back into the game with 80 minutes on the clock as Yaya Toure powered home David Silva’s corner.
Taking full advantage of a clear momentum shift, Bacary Sagna broke down the right-hand side and saw his peach of a cross expertly headed home by Sergio Aguero. Here’s what VAVEL.com learned.
Watford are close to competing with the best...
Not for the first time this season, Flores’ men came so close yet so far to nicking points from one of the biggest clubs in the land. Back in November, Troy Deeney equalised late to seemingly earn a point for his side at home to Manchester United, only to convert a low cross into his own net just seconds later to send the Hornets home with nothing. Then again, on Monday, a ten-man Watford side were level at 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur and pushing for victory before being punished by a late (offside – but that’s a different debate) Son-Heung Min goal up at the other end. And they were unable to make it a third time lucky here, as defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
There could be numerous factors in these breaches of discipline. An obvious suggestion would be that fatigue sets in late on in games, after the concentration, intensity, and effort that has been put in. Another could be a snowball effect of panic towards the latter end of games when big names are piling the pressure on. A third is simply that these big sides have good players who can kill you – a rather unavoidable consequence of the money that is spent on assembling these star-studded outfits.
What is for sure is that for long periods of games, the Hornets look equally as proficient at this level than their counterparts. They would have to get drastically worse to finish anywhere near the relegation places this season, and a finish in the top 12 looks likely if they can rediscover the winning habit which has deserted them in the last three Premier League games.
Quique Sanchez Flores may have to consider changes to his very settled side...
As a result of the fatigue discussed above, Flores may find that he needs to make a few changes to his side to keep everybody fit and firing throughout the second half of the season. Lots of what has made Watford great in these first 20 games has been their intensity and focus - admirable attributes, but attributes which can in turn lead to tiredness.
There have been small signs of errors creeping into Craig Cathcart’s game, for example. The Northern Irishman has been a revelation since making the shock move to Hertfordshire on a free transfer from Blackpool 18 months ago, but as the only member of this squad to have played every league minute so far this season, he should enjoy a break for next week’s FA Cup tie at least.
Deeney was another who looked a little fatigued here, and he may also deserve a break if the club can find the third striker they crave this month.
Ben Watson is now a crucial presence...
A man who was considered very much an ‘only if we have to’ option over the summer, Watson’s performances since the red card awarded to Valon Behrami against Swansea back in September have been nothing short of superb. It has been widely considered that he may ultimately lose his place to the Swiss, but after another upsurge in recent displays, there seems to be very little reason why he can’t remain a fixture in this side all season.
He harried and cajoled Manchester City’s midfield, in stark contrast to Yaya Toure’s lazy defensive efforts, and can consider himself horrendously unlucky to have found himself on the losing side.
His excellent set-pieces – will he be awarded with his first Watford goal for a corner which was going in anyway before Kolarov got his head to it? – are an added bonus.
Jose Manual Jurado begins to show his class...
After an admittedly slow start to his Watford career – as he looked to ascertain what the Premier League is all about – Jurado’s performances are beginning to replicate what was promised when Flores completed his significant efforts to bring him to the club over the summer. His drag-flick away from Fernandinho in the opening moments was a joy to behold, while he kept the ball comfortably the best of any Hornet on the pitch.
It’d be too simplistic to say that City’s goals were a consequence of Jurado’s substitution, but it was evident that the hosts failed to keep the ball anywhere near as well without the Spaniard on the field. The fact that his efforts were no less impressive than the very similar, and much-heralded, Silva says a lot for his performance.
Watford are staying up...
Other than irrational fear, Watford fans have no real cause for concern when it comes to immediate relegation back down into the Championship. Of course injuries could hit, a loss of form could follow, and before you know it the unstoppable spiral down into the dog-fight has ensued, but on the evidence of virtually every game this season, the Hornets will be fine.
There hasn’t been a real stinker of a performance so far – Palace at home, and the first half at Bournemouth the worst of a very good bunch – and as the team develops, and, supposedly, some exciting transfer movement this month commences, Hertfordshire can enjoy a steady mid-table Premier League finish for its number one football club.
