Man City vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Gabriel Jesus scores four
Follow live reaction after Man City thrashed Watford to extend their advantage in the Premier League title race
Four goals from Gabriel Jesus earned Manchester City a 5-1 win over relegation-threatened Watford on Saturday, a victory that moved Pep Guardiola’s side four points clear at the top of the Premier League standings.
With title rivals Liverpool not in action until Sunday against Everton, City were overwhelming favourites to put Watford to the sword at the Etihad Stadium, with a double from Jesus’ putting them 2-0 in front inside 24 minutes.
Watford then briefly threatened to make a game of it as French defender Hassane Kamara’s first goal in English football five minutes later brought the visitors to within one of City. However, a stunning strike from Rodri restored City’s two-goal advantage in the 34th minute before Jesus completed his first Premier League hat-trick early in the second half after converting from the penalty spot.
Not done there, the 25-year-old tapped home his fourth in the 53rd minute to complete the rout. City took their foot off the gas from there on in, with Tuesday’s Champions League semi final first-leg against Real Madrid in mind.
The comprehensive victory moved champions City on to 80 points from 33 matches played, four clear of Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby, while Watford head towards relegation, sitting 19th seven points from safety.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 70 mins
United are screaming for an equaliser and their frustration at being held is shown with a scuffle between McTominay and Gabriel in the box.
There’s been a yellow card for Xhaka as he hits the ball into the stands, a silly one to give away. That is his 50th yellow card for Arsenal, a huge stat.
And another yellow card is handed out, this time for Tavares who pulls Elanga’s shirt. The BT Sport cameras are picking up United supporters on the mic with shouts of ‘get him off’. I don’t think we’re quite at a red card stage, yet.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 65 mins
The VAR have confirmed the shot was offside, it was a lot tighter than I initially thought but his right leg strays offside.
Ronaldo goes down with injury but he is thankfully back on his feet. Cedric strays offside and so United are on the build again.
Ronaldo lays off the ball to Dalot who has a huge chance! Ramsdale manages to push it onto the post, so close! The visitors are edging closer to the equaliser but Arsenal are doing well to keep their lead.
The Gunners make the first changes as Smith Rowe is off for Martinelli.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 60 mins
I am dumbfounded that he has missed that. The confidence the team showed in him to choose Fernandes over Ronaldo and then he overthinks and tries to be too clever!
Elanga has a shot shortly aftet the miss but Ramsdale does enough to thrwart it. He does concede a corner though. The ball is pinging around and eventually Tavares manages to get it away. United are still in possession and Ronaldo looked as though he scored but he was offside.
United are hungry to equalise here. VAR will check it but he is offside so this goal probbaly won’t stand.
PENALTY MISS! Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
Surprisingly Fernandes is stepping up to take the kick over Ronaldo.
He’s had a howler! He hits it soft and it hits the post, Ronaldo goes over to comfort his teammate. How has he missed that?! Ramsdale goes the wrong way and he should’ve smashed that home.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 55 mins
Nketiah creates a good opportunity for Tavares but the ball bends away from goal. The first chance of the half goes to nothing.
McTominay fouls Xhaka and Arsenal take a free kick. Xhaka curls the ball in but Telles heads away, it comes back out for Saka who’s chance goes wide.
The England international hit a boot getting that ball away but he has ran the pain off.
McTominay is in trouble again as he fouls Gabriel in his own half. Another long spell of Arsenal pressure ends at the feet of De Gea.
Now United have a free kick as White fouls Sancho. The ball is pinged around and it ends with a United corner.
Fernandes takes the kick and he awards a penalty as Tavares handballs!
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 50 mins
It’s been a slow start to the second half but Arsenal have had the lion share of possession.
A long spell with the ball ends with the Gunners running th eball out of play for a goal kick.
United are now looking to build but in the action Fernandes went down injured. He got back to his feet but he seems to be clutching his hip.
Back underway! Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
The action at the Emirates is back underway.
Can Arsenal hold off United? Or will the visitors find a winner?
Half-time: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
Do you think this was a penalty?
Some people are saying it was soft but Telles does make contact with Saka in the box.
Have a look:
Half-time: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
Well what a half of football!
Tavares got the scoring underway with an early goal but United didn’t fade away after conceding.
They created chances but it was Arsenal who doubled their lead with a penalty from Saka.
But Ronaldo wasn’t going to let it be the Gunners having the only say as he hit a one touch finish to put United back into it. It was also the star’s 100th Premier League goal.
We are in for a huge second half. More of the same please!
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 45 + 3 mins
There’s five minutes added to this thrilling half.
Odegaard whips the ball in but it doesn’t find a teammate. The Gunners are seeing out this half with style, having the majority of possession and chances.
Ramsdale feels the pressure from Ronaldo as Cedric passes back to the keeper who’s clearance is sloppy.
Telles gets a great shot away and Ramsdale saves well. Cedric then kicks it out of play for a corner. Fernandes gets a shot away but Arsenal block and they counter.
Odegaard gets a shot away with De Gea forced to make a save! I can’t type fast enough to keep up with this, unbelievable bit of football.
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