Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Manchester United vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the latest updates as the hosts look to keep up momentum in the top-four race

Michael Jones
Saturday 26 February 2022 12:48 EST
Comments
(Getty Images)

It may still be the case that Manchester United have only lost once since the 4-1 defeat at Vicarage Road which led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment but draws like these are slowly eroding hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League.

Solskjaer’s conquerors Watford, under new management themselves, will celebrate this goalless draw at Old Trafford, even if the point does little to help Roy Hodgson’s side in their battle against the drop. It was yet another afternoon when United had their chances but did not take them.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is especially concerning. The Portuguese looked every inch the 37-year-old centre-forward that he is and may be contemplating whether he can stomach a season outside of European football’s elite competition. If he decides not, that may be the best thing for all parties concerned.

United remain fourth, two points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, but have played three games more. And worryingly, this visit of a Watford side sat second-bottom could be viewed as the last in a run of favourable fixtures dating all the way back to early December.

After next week’s derby at the Etihad, top-four rivals Tottenham pay a visit with the return leg against Atletico Madrid following three days later. Even if the subsequent trip to Anfield is postponed due to the FA Cup quarter-finals, as seems likely, Rangnick is entering a defining period. Follow reaction from Manchester United vs Watford below and coverage of Everton vs Man City:

Everton 0 - 0 Man City

15 mins: Raheem Sterling tries to weave around Seamus Coleman but the Everton defender shrugs him off the ball then gives it away with a poor clearance. It comes to Joao Cancelo who flicks the ball over to Phil Foden on the right side of the box. He takes it to the byline and looks for a shot but gets closed down.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:48

Everton 0 - 0 Man City

12 mins: Everton burst forward after a long ball comes up to Anthony Gordon on the left side. He brings the ball under control and carries it into the box. Richarlison makes a run to the far post and Gordon laces it across in a half shot/half passed attempt that Ederson scoops up easily enough.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:43

Everton 0 - 0 Man City

9 mins: Everton are getting stuck into the midfield battle, trying to physically impose themselves on City. It’s half working but this City team are very good. They play it through the middle of the pitch with Kevin De Bruyne slipping a pass up to Ilkay Gundogan coming inside fromt he left. He flicks it out wide to Sterling who carries the ball into the box and sees his low cross blocked and cleared.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:42

Everton 0 - 0 Man City

6 mins: Everton push high up the pitch and win themselves a corner. Anthony Gordon swings it into the middle but Rodri wins the header and nods it out as far as Allan. He gives the ball back to Gordon who lays it off to Donny van de Beek. Van de Beek swings a cross to the far post where Richarlison is hovering but he’s beaten in the air by John Stones who heads it clear for City.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:38

Everton 0 - 0 Man City

3 mins: Raheem Sterling breaks down the left wing for Man City and carries the ball into the box. He tries to square it into the six-yard area but the ball deflects out to Rodri off an Everton defender. Rodri runs onto a first time shot but his effort gets blocked in the middle of the box.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:36

Everton vs Man City

Kick off: Manchester City get the match underway at Goodison Park. They send it to the defensive line and look the draw Everton into a forward press. The Toffees don’t bite though and keep a solid shape forcing City to play through them.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:32

Everton vs Man City

The players head out onto the pitch.

Manchester City are wearing t-shirts with the Ukrainian flag and the message ‘No War’ printed on them. The Everton team all come out wrapped in Ukrainian flags.

There are Ukrainian players on both teams. Oleksandr Zinchenko for Man City and Vitaliy Mykolenko for Everton.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:28

Everton vs Man City

Premier League leaders, Manchester City, can open up a six point gap on second placed Liverpool if they defeat Everton today. Meanwhile the Toffees could do with three points of their own.

They are currently just one point above the relegation zone but could jump as high as 14th if they win this evening.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:25

Everton vs Man City

Riyad Mahrez has scored 10 goals in his last 10 appearances for City, only failing to score in one of those games.

(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:21

Everton vs Man City

Manchester City have taken 32 points out of a possible 36 in their 12 league away games since losing at Tottenham on the opening weekend of the season.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 17:18

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in