RAHEEM STERLING’S QUICKFIRE second-half hat-trick pulled apart a stubborn Watford resistance as Manchester City went four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory.
Javi Gracia made seven changes to his Watford XI but the visitors proved miserly opponents as they frustrated Pep Guardiola’s defending champions during the opening 45 minutes.
The opening goal came within a minute of the restart and amid considerable offside controversy.
Sterling pounced with Watford still reeling, netting from close range in the 50th minute and completed his treble before the hour.
Watford substitute Gerard Deulofeu reduced the deficit midway through the second half – something Liverpool must now do when they host Burnley at Anfield on Sunday.
City were forced to be patient when confronted by a heavily manned defence, although Sergio Aguero should have done better when he powered wide from Bernardo Silva’s 29th-minute delivery.
Daryl Janmaat completed a brilliant last-ditch tackle on Sterling and those two were involved in the game’s most contentious and pivotal moment.
Following prolonged discussions between the match officials, the goal was awarded despite Sterling being in an offside position when Aguero touched the ball into his path, because Janmaat played it against the England winger’s shin for the ricochet into the net.
There were no qualms when David Silva and Mahrez sliced their way down Watford’s left channel and Sterling tapped in the former Leicester City man’s cross.
David Silva slid Sterling through to cut inside Janmaat and Christian Kabasele to complete his hat-trick and he received a rapturous reception when he made way for Leroy Sane shortly afterwards.
Gracia’s changes proved more impactful, though, as Troy Deeney and Deulofeu were introduced, the pair combining with their first touches to score 21 second later – the goal offering a tantalising glimpse of what a more expansive Watford might have been able to accomplish.
Andy Dunne joins Murray Kinsella and Ryan Bailey to discuss Joe Schmidt’s undroppables and how France might attack Ireland’s predictability in The42 Rugby Weekly.
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Great article.
Great to read about Billy and the way life turned out for him.i
I can remember him as a kid in Middleton when I stayed with his parents Don and Mary.I will never forget their kindness towards me as I was starting out in my first job in nearby Carrigtouhill.
Great read. Never forget his goal for Rovers against Shels in the cup. Belter. On his day he was unstoppable.
Nobody underachieves. If you have the skill, but not the motivation, you’ll achieve exactly how much you should achieve with that combination.
@Ryan Comiskey: what if you have the motivation but not the skill?
@Kieran Stafford: you’ll still likely achieve your potential – whatever that may be.
Great article and gives a no holds account of the times of Leage of Ireladn football from players perspective and still after his football experiences has great love still for Cork.
Jaysus that suit looks shocking on Dolan . Fits like he ordered it online or something
@Ronan McDermott: …would you like if it was a “slim” fit?!…on Dolan?!
Great read I remember Celtic played City in 2001 and brought a full strength team bar Larsson. The game finished 3-2 to Celtic that night too. I’ve the ticket on my bedroom wall still.
Great read. Billy scored against Rovers out at Bishopstown once, off the left wing into the right top corner. Best goal I’ve seen in the flesh. Glorious stuff.
Great read. Never forget his goal for Rovers against Shels in the cup. Belter. On his day he was unstoppable.
@David Linehan: alright David boy once was enough to say it !
“Billy Woods was on the wing
we had dreams and songs to sing”
Immortalised in song, doesn’t get much better than that.
I remember the slagging Billy got at the Cross when City played Rovers.
One fella roared”Welcome back Billy, you havent changed. You’re still shite”
I remember the slagging Billy got at the Cross when he came with Rovers.
One fella roared ” Welcome back Billy, you havent changed. You’re still shite”