Man City 8-0 Watford: Bernardo nets hat-trick, De Bruyne & Mahrez shine

Bernardo Silva plundered a hat-trick as Manchester City scored five times in the opening 18 minutes against an insipid Watford side.

Match Report

Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a stunning 8-0 triumph over sorry Watford to record their biggest ever top-flight victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side slipped to a shock defeat at Norwich City last weekend but responded in spectacular fashion against the league's bottom side, racing into a five-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

David Silva got them on their way after 52 seconds before a Sergio Aguero penalty and goals from Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Nicolas Otamendi put the game out of the sight before the midway point of the first half.

Bernardo Silva grabbed the first top-flight hat-trick of his career with goals in the 48th and 60th minutes before Kevin De Bruyne added an eighth five minutes from time. 

Match Events

1' GOAL! Man City 1-0 Watford (Silva)

CITY LEAD AFTER 52 SECONDS!!! DAVID SILVA SCORES! It's so easy for the home side as the Spaniard converts De Bruyne's cross at the back post. The Belgian collects on the right flank and bends his delivery into a perfect area. David Silva attacks the ball and sticks out a leg to divert it into the net. Simple.

7' Penalty Goal! Man City 2-0 Watford (Aguero)

AGUERO CONVERTS!!!! 2-0!!! The Argentine steps up and has no problem finding the back of the net, blasting his strike low into the middle. City already have complete control of the game.

12' GOAL! Man City 3-0 Watford (Mahrez)

CITY HAVE A THIRD!! 3-0!!! Mahrez wins the free-kick and then converts it with the aid of a deflection. He lines up a blast that sails past the wall, but it connects with Cleverley, who diverts it past Foster into the back of the net. This could get embarrassing for the Hornets.

15' GOAL! Man City 4-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva)

FOUR IN 15 MINUTES!!!! BERNARDO SILVA SCORES!!! It's absolute bedlam in the Watford box. De Bruyne lifts a corner into the box and Aguero rises to head it on. Bernardo Silva has the freedom of the penalty area at the back post to stoop and nod his effort past Foster. Where was the Watford defence?

18' GOAL! Man City 5-0 Watford (Otamendi)

OTAMENDI SLIDES IT HOME!!! 5-0!!! This is ridiculous. Watford have stopped defending. De Bruyne catches the Hornets sleeping and slides the free-kick into the left inside channel for Aguero. He fires a low ball across the face of goal where Otamendi pokes home on the slide at the back post. Once again he was unmarked. This one might just be over...

48' GOAL! Man City 6-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva)

BERNARDO SILVA HAS HIS SECOND!!!! 6-0!!! City make an imperious start to the half. The two Silvas battle in tandem to win possession down the left flank. Bernardo Silva lifts a cross to the back post for Aguero, who stretched to keep the ball alive. David Silva pounces on the loose ball and flicks an offload for Bernardo Silva in the left inside channel. The Portuguese slots his effort under Foster into the net.

60' GOAL! Man City 7-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva)

BERNARDO SILVA HAS A HAT-TRICK!!!! 7-0!!!! City carve open Watford at the back and Bernardo Silva capitalise with a close-range finish. De Bruyne breaks down the right flank and send a dangerous low ball to the back post. The Portuguese takes one touch to control before slotting his effort past Foster.

85' GOAL! Man City 8-0 Watford (De Bruyne)

DE BRUYNE SCORES A STUNNER!!! 8-0!!!!! The Belgian gets a deserved goal through a super hit. Mahrez picks out his run on the edge of the box. He has time to control before finding enough space to launch a strike towards goal. De Bruyne unleashes a rocket towards the left top corner, blasting the ball into the net. A super finish.

Player Ratings

Line-ups

Man City XI: David Silva, S. Agüero, Fernandinho, N. Otamendi, K. Walker, K. De Bruyne, Mahrez, B. Mendy, Ederson Moraes, Bernardo Silva, R.Hernández

Subs: C. Bravo, İ. Gündoğan, R. Sterling, Cancelo, Angeliño, Gabriel Jesus, Eric García

Watford XI: B. Foster, Mariappa, Holebas, Capoue, K.Femenía, Cleverley, C.Dawson, Deulofeu, Doucouré, Foulquier, Hughes

Subs: Gomes, Kabasele, Janmaat, R.Pereyra, A.Gray, Chalobah, I. Sarr