Premier League: Watford vs Manchester City Player Ratings as Manchester City dominate Watford in a 3-1 victory

Watford vs Manchester City: Manchester City visited Watford at the Vicarage Road on Matchday 14 of the ongoing edition of the Premier League.

A dominant performance from the visiting side as the Premier League champions took on a struggling Watford side who were overwhelming underdogs coming into this game. Manchester City were on the front foot ever since the first whistle of the game and an early goal only made them grow in confidence as they pulled ahead, courtesy of a brace from Bernardo Silva who was electric. The hosts did get a goal back through Cucho Hernandez but it was a little too late for the Hornets as Manchester City go atop the Premier League table.

Let’s take a look at the player ratings for the match:-

Watford vs Manchester City Player Ratings

Watford

Daniel Bachman (GK) (8/10): Bachman certainly had his work cut out for him while facing one of the best teams in Europe as he had to make some really important saves and was instrumental at keeping Man City’s goal tally at three against the cutting edge, attacking style of his opponents.

Danny Rose (5/10): Danny Rose will be having nightmares of Bernardo Silva running circles around him as he was constantly chasing the Portuguese’s shadow and came up short almost every time.

Craig Cathcart (6/10): Craig Cathcart made some important tackles but would be counting his blessings as he was very fortunate to still be on the pitch after a cynical challenge on Gabriel Jesus.

William Troost-Ekong (5/10): Troost-Ekong couldn’t deal with the pace and overwhelming attack of Manchester City.

Kiko Femenía (6/10): Femenia contained his side pretty well but was pressed into some uncomfortable positions and lost the ball a bunch of times.

Imrân Louza (6/10): Imran Louza couldn’t really get close to the ball at all and made some simple passes with the few touches he had.

João Pedro (6.5/10): Joao Pedro was a nuisance on his side of the pitch, pressing and winning the ball a couple of times from a City side that was moving the ball really well.

Moussa Sissoko (6.5/10): Moussa Sissoko progressed the ball well up the pitch but was starved for passing options a few times.

Tom Cleverley (6/10): Ending his night early, Cleverly couldn’t do a whole lot as he didn’t really receive the ball for a meaningful amount of time.

Emmanuel Dennis (5.5/10): Dennis was a constant threat on the counter but unfortunately couldn’t create something anytime the ball to him.

Joshua King (6/10): Joshua King was starved of the ball but took a few chances when he got it although they didn’t really trouble the keeper.

Substitutes:

Juraj Kucka (6/10): Juraj Kucka had an average performance and didn’t really impact the tempo of the game.

Cucho Hernández (7.5/10): Cucho Hernandez pressed really well after being subbed on at halftime and even got a goal as a result of that.

Jeremy Ngakia (6/10): Ngakia had very few touches of the ball and didn’t do a whole lot after being subbed on for Danny Rose.

Manchester City

Ederson (GK) (6.5/10): Ederson didn’t have a whole lot to do as Watford created very little but unfortunately couldn’t keep out Hernandez’s second effort off a deflected save.

Kyle Walker (7/10): Ready to chase anyone back and make some great deliveries, Kyle Walker had a great showing tonight.

Rúben Dias (7/10): Stalwart defending from Ruben Dias as he did not give an inch of space to any Watford attacker.

Aymeric Laporte (7.5/10): A great pairing with his Portuguese counterpart, Laporte had a great performance as he dealt with all Watford attempts decently and even had a goal-bound header cleared off the line!

João Cancelo (7/10): Some dangerous crosses in the box and constant monitoring of his flank, Cancelo controlled his side of the pitch really well tonight.

İlkay Gündoğan (7/10): Gundogan progressed the ball well up the pitch and controlled the tempo of the match before he was subbed out for Kevin De Bruyne.

Rodri (7/10): Rodri had a decent evening as he cut out passing lanes for the opposition and linked up well with the attack and defence.

Bernardo Silva (9.5/10): Sublime with the ball, Bernado Silva had the Watford defence chasing his shadow the entire game. Latching onto a Bachman deflection, Bernardo slotted the ball in the near post for his first goal and a finish from the top drawer as he curled the ball in the far top corner for his second as he grabbed a brace.

Raheem Sterling (8/10): Whether it was leaving defenders in the dust or taking a short touch and striking the ball, Raheem Sterling had the Watford defence scrambling every time he got the ball. He even got a goal as he finished an inviting cross from Foden to give his side the lead.

Jack Grealish (7/10): Jack Grealish was great at moving the ball and linking up with the midfield but should’ve definitely had a goal in the first half as he missed a bunch of big chances from really dangerous positions.

Phil Foden (8/10): Full of creativity and flair, Phil Foden was a constant problem in the attacking third and even grabbed an assist as he provided a beautiful cross that put the ball on a plate for Sterling.

Substitutes:

Kevin De Bruyne (6.5/10): Coming back from an injury, Kevin De Bruyne was bought on to manage the game that was pretty much done and dusted and he did his job pretty well.

Riyad Mahrez (6/10): Getting his chance to have a run, Riyad Mahrez didn’t use his time well and lost the ball a bunch of times.

Gabriel Jesus (N/A)

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