Manchester City 2 Watford 0: Watch highlights as Pep Guardiola’s men get back to winning ways but Ilkay Gundogan’s injury mars the victory

SAYS

PEP GUARDIOLA'S Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Watford - but the victory was marred by an injury to Ilkay Gundogan.

The City boss revealed after the game that City are set to be without their £21million summer addition from Borussia Dortmund for a "long time".

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Gundogan was forced off in the 44th minute after picking up a knee injury after a clash with Norton Amrabat.

The 26-year-old German limped off the field in some discomfort.

Captain Pablo Zabaleta gave City – who had lost their last two Prem games – the lead the 32nd minute, slotting the ball home after a cross from Belgium ace Kevin De Bruyne.

Keep up to date with ALL the Manchester City and Watford news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

David Silva added the gloss with four minutes remaining after some neat interplay with Raheem Sterling.

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Manchester City captain Pablo Zabaleta celebrates his goal

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£47.5million defender John Stones was dropped to the bench after his error-prone performance against Leicester City last weekend.

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Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were still banned after their dismissals against Chelsea earlier on this month.

BIG PICTURE

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STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

• Pep used three at the back for most of the defeat to Leicester – but used a flat back four in this game.
• The Spaniard also ditched the sneakers and roll neck. Looked more like a Premier League manager with suit and City puffa.
• John Stones paid the price for his backpass at the weekend. He was dropped to the bench for Nicolas Otamendi.
• Kick in the teeth for Kelechi Iheanacho as Nolito was preferred up front with Kevin De Bruyne behind him in a 4-4-1-1.

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• Walter Mazzarri is just like fellow Italian Antonio Conte on the touchline – he kicks every ball and never stops moving.
• Mazzarri clearly had one eye on the weekend by resting Troy Deeney and giving Jerome Sinclair his full debut.
• Pablo Zabaleta broke a two-year drought when he broke the deadlock with his volley. Last goal was against Roma in the Champions League in 2014.
• Yaya Toure’s comeback continued and he was needed to boss the midfield when Ilkay Gundogan limped off.
• Raheem Sterling looks back to full fitness after three games out. Skimmed the crossbar in the second half.
• First home win since mid-September at home in the Premier League, although City did beat Barcelona on their own patch.

SOCIAL SAYS

WHAT DID THEY SAY

City boss Pep Guardiola on Ilkay Gundogan: "I'm so sad for Ilkay Gundogan as it looks like we’ll be without him for a long time - we will know more tomorrow, it doesn’t look good.

"We’ll know the extent of the injury when he has been properly assessed by the doctor but I think he may be out for some time."

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester City: Bravo 6, Zabaleta 8, Otamendi 7, Kolarov 7, Clichy 7, Gundogan 6 (Fernando 7, 44), Toure 7, Sterling 8, De Bruyne 8 (Sane 6, 89), Silva 7, Nolito 6 (Jesus Navas 6, 81).

Watford: Gomes 7, Janmaat 6 (Success 6, 60), Prodl 6, Britos 6, Holebas 6; Pereyra 6 (Zuniga 6, 30), Guedioura 6, Capoue 6; Amrabat 7, Ighalo 5, Sinclair 5 (Deeney 6, 72).