Manchester City produced the perfect response following their dismantlement of the FA Cup by Arsenal at Wembley Stadium last Saturday. 

A brace from Raheem Sterling and goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte, his first of the season condemned Watford to yet another humiliating defeat against the former Premier League champions. 

  • Raheem Sterling's rich vein of form continues

It's been an inconsistent season for Sterling to say the least. The winger started this campaign in blistering form with 7 goals in his first ten matches including a hat-trick against West Ham United on the opening day. However, in comparison to last season City's number seven hasn't shown the same ruthlessness in front of goal this time around. 

Injury troubles coupled with poor form saw Sterling only score 4 times in 18 matches prior to the suspension of the Premier League. However, since then, the wide-man has been back to his best with with a second hat-trick of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion a first competitive goal against his former side Liverpool and another brace as well as an assist in last evening's rout against Watford. 

  • A damaging result in more ways than one for Watford and Hayden Mullins

As first tests goes, Hayden Mullins could not have been given a tougher assignment. Against an angry Manchester City side after being relinquished of the FA Cup following their semi-final defeat against Arsenal last Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Mullins' side will have expected a back lash from Pep's men and that is exactly what happened. a four-nil mauling coupled with Aston Villa beating Arsenal a few hours later made it the worst possible day in Mullins' fledgling careers as a Premier League manager. 

Prior to the game Mullins would have been majorly surprised if his team got anything from the match. Having said that he will be desperately disappointed in the way his team performed and the amount of goals the team conceded. With the points gap between his side, Aston Villa and Bournemouth nominal, goal difference may have a huge impact and it remains to be seen if conceding four today will send Watford down.   

  • Plenty for Pep to ponder ahead of the return of the UEFA Champions League

City have nothing to play for domestically following their FA Cup loss against Arsenal last weekend and have second place mathematically secured. However every single player in the City squad will by vying for a place in the starting eleven against Real Madrid ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on the 7th August.

Gifted with a tremendous squad, Pep Guardiola will certainly be scratching his head as to who to start against recently crowned La Liga champions Real Madrid. With David Silva's time with City almost over after a wonderful decade spent with the club, his managerial compatriot will be pondering recalling the Spain legend to the starting eleven. However with players such as Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne in excellent form, it will unfair on either of them to be dropped in this illustrious second leg at the Etihad.  

  • Ben Foster the one shining light in a dull Watford team

Ben Foster who has been one of the few shining lights in a dull season for Watford produced several outstanding saves yesterday evening to ensure the final score wasn't close to resembling a cricket match. City recorded 26 efforts on goal with 10 of them forcing Foster to make a save including one effort from the penalty spot. 

Whilst the former Manchester United goalkeeper shipped four goals, he should have left the pitch yesterday not disappointed in himself, but with his team-mates. Save after save, Foster ensured the scoreline stayed as low as possible, but poor reactions and decision making from his defence ensured Watford would go into the final day one place and one goal difference worse than their closest rivals Aston Villa. 

  • Kevin De Bruyne closes in on Thierry Henry's Premier League assist record

It's fair to say that City have been no where near their best this season as they surrendered their Premier League crown to Liverpool. In despite of that, De Bruyne, similar to Foster, can leave this season holding their head's high.

Chasing Thierry Henry's Premier League assist record of 20, The Belgian moved one step closer to that illustrious record by producing his 19th goal contribution of the season. A wonderful  free-kick from De Bruyne to the far post was met by Laporte and in an injury turbulent season, the Frenchman will have been delighted to score his first of the season heading in from the far post into the right hand corner.

The record could have been equalled yesterday had Sterling scored his third hat-trick of the season following a sublime defence splitting pass from City's captain. However Foster was once again on hand to prevent both players from achieving their targets.

With City facing already relegated Norwich City on the final day, De Bruyne will be demanding Pep not to rest him as the extraordinary play-maker closes in on Henry's record.