Sterling and lack of VAR undo Watford defence

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points at least until tomorrow after a controversial 3-1 win over Watford at the Etihad Stadium. 

The Sky Blues had almost all the possession and territory in the first half, but they came up against a brick wall in Watford's defence. Watford started the match showing some attacking intent and their best opportunity came in the ninth minute when Andre Gray attempted to square for a teammate to hit home from inside the box, but the City defence cut out the danger. After 10 minutes, they decided to go into their shell and put all their players behind the ball. 

Pep Guardiola's side had the first clear opportunity of the encounter through David Silva with just eight minutes on the clock. Riyad Mahrez put in a cross from the near side and the Spaniard knocked the ball wide with his arm. It was not spotted by the officials and had it gone in, the goal would have stood. Javi Gracia's outfit were tested on other occasions, but were very firm in defence. Kabasele cleared two or three crosses into his side's box and when the defence was unable to clear, Ben Foster between the Watford sticks kept it 0-0. 

City's next chance came in the 17th minute through Raheem Sterling after quality build-up play between him and David Silva. However, Kun Aguero without doubt enjoyed City's best chance. Bernardo Silva sent him an outstanding cross in the 29th minute, but he somehow missed the target with his header when it looked easier to score than miss. After that, Watford looked very comfortable in defence until juist before half-time when Mahrez and Aguero both came close to breaking the deadlock.

Straight after the restart, the hosts took the lead in extremely controversial fashion. Man City attacked from the kick-off, Sergio Aguero chested down a long ball from Gundogan to Raheem Sterling who was miles offside. As Sterling was going to run onto the ball, Janmaat cleared the ball onto his leg. Unfortunately for him, the ball then went into the net. The linesman raised the offside flag, but referee Paul Tierney decided to go over and talk it further with him. After a two minute conversation, they finally decided to give the goal, to the fury of the Hornets players and their manager Javi Gracia.

The officials decided that as Janmaat had cleared the ball before Sterling touched the ball, that annulled the striker's offside position. An illogical interpretation as if Sterling had not been in an offside position, Janmaat's clearance would not have been blocked. The Premier League's decision not to use VAR this season, the only one of the top five leagues not to do so, will once again be in the spotlight as one replay in less than 30 seconds would have cleared up the issue instead of a two minute debate which ultimately led to the wrong decision. 

Watford's heads dropped once the injustice was committed and within 30 seconds, Sterling netted his second. David Silva, who had a very good game, passed the ball to Mahrez and the Algerian squared for Sterling to tap in from just three yards out. There was no question mark over this goal as the England international was behind the ball. With Watford's game plan of 0-0 ruined, they conceded a third in the 59th minute. David Silva got the assist this time and and Sterling kept his composure in front of goal to put the game to bed.

There was a bright spark for the Hornets though. Gerard Deulofeu pulled one back for the away side with his first touch of the ball. It was a very simple goal, but effective. Ben Foster started the move with a long punt forward, Troy Deeney flicked on with his head to find Deulofeu and the Spaniard finished nicely. However, it was too little, too late for Javi Gracia's side and although they continued to attack, the fourth Man City goal always looked more lilely than a second Watford one. 

City are four points clear at the top and will hope Liverpool slip up on Sunday at home to Burnley. Watford, on the other hand, missed out on the opportunity to go into seventh place ahead of Wolves and into a potential Europa League spot. Nobody can deny that Guardiola's team fully deserved the victory, but there is no doubt that the first Sterling goal will be talked about for days to come.