Watford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Latest updates and action from the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road
Arsenal climbed back into the Premier League top four as goals from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli helped them to a lively 3-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
It was a victory more convincing for the Gunners than the scoreline suggests, as their young attacking players shone to punish a Hornets side that, to their credit, fought gamely until the end.
Emmanuel Dennis had the ball in the net after just 17 seconds but it was ruled out for offside, although a stunning finish from Cucho Hernandez cancelled out Odegaard’s opener and Moussa Sissoko set up a grandstand finish when he reduced the deficit to 3-2 with only a few minutes remaining.
But a draw would have more than the Hornets deserved and their battle against relegation from the Premier League is looking like an increasingly uphill battle.
For their part, the Gunners have their top-four destiny in their own hands and three sublime finishes from Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli – all of whom should have big futures at the Emirates – demonstrated the quality Mikel Arteta can call on as the season reaches the business end.
Relive the Premier League action of Arsenal versus Watford below:
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd
83 mins: Manchester United look dead on their feet. City have run them ragged in this second half and they responded at all since the third goal. Pep Guardiola is encouraging his team to keep pushing up the pitch and create more chances. There are goals still out there for the league leaders and in a title race that could come down to goal difference any more they can pick up here could be vital.
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd
80 mins: Save! Kyle Walker makes an overlapping run down the right wing and keeps the ball alive just inside the byline. He whips it across to Joao Cancelo on the opposite side of the box and the left-back meets it who decent bicycle kick volley. It’s sneaking in but David De Gea leaps across and palms the ball away.
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd
77 mins: Kevin De Bruyne is taken off by Pep Guardiola and receives a warm round of applause from the Manchester City fans for his efforts toward. Two goals and an assist for City’s captain.
Ilkay Gundogan comes on to replace him.
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd
74 mins: Save! Manchester City look content to pass the ball around in their own half then out of nothing it comes up to Jack Grealish. He turns and dribbles straight at United’s penalty area before sliding a pass across to Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne puts it into the box for Mahrez who hits one with his right foot this time and forces De Gea to punch it clear at the near post.
Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd
71 mins: The real problem for Manchester United has been their lack of possession in the second half. They just can’t get the ball of Manchester City. The home side are killing them with possession. It’s mountain to climb now for the Red Devils.
GOAL! Man City 3 - 1 Man Utd (Mahrez, 68’)⚽️
68 mins: Right on cue! Kevin De Bruyne floats the corner kick over to the far side of the box. Riyad Mahrez makes a late run from deep and meets the dropping ball on the half volley. There’s slight deflection off Harry Maguire which takes the ball away from David De Gea and gives City their thrid goal of the game!
Man City 2 - 1 Man Utd
66 mins: There only look to be one winner here. Man City are all over Man Utd. Jack Grealish again carries the ball through the middle of the final third before passing it wide to Joao Cancelo. He arrives in the box and wins a corner after Aaron Wan-Bissaka blocks his cross out of play. If City score again it’ll be the end of this game.
Man City 2 - 1 Man Utd
63 mins: Yellow card for Harry Maguire. City break through Mahrez who sends the ball up to De Bruyne. City’s playmaker dinks it past United’s captain who lunges into a tackle and cleans out the Man City midfielder.
Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford come on to replace Anthony Elanga and Paul Pogba for Man Utd.
Man City 2 - 1 Man Utd
60 mins: Another Man City free kick in a dangerous area. Just outside the left edge of the ‘D’. Riyad Mahrez and Kevi De Bruyne both stand over the dead ball but it’s De Bruyne - looking for a hat-trick - he drills a low effort around the wall and into the hands of David De Gea.
Man City 2 - 1 Man Utd
57 mins: Man City almost add a third as a Kevin De Bruyne free kick is flicked up to the edge of the box. Riyad Mahrez gets there first and smokes a shot high and wide.
In response United play Elanga into the right side of the box but his first touch takes the ball away from and Joao Cancelo gets back to boot it straight out of play.
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