Watford’s last home game of the season ended in misery with last season’s champions Manchester City putting four goals past them with ease.
The result leaves the Hornets dangerously close to the relegation zone on the final day of the season, with Aston Villa and Bournemouth hot on their tails.
Hayden Mullins and Graham Stack replaced Nigel Pearson as manager on Sunday, and named two changes to the side that lost to West Ham United, bringing in Roberto Pereyra and Adrian Mariappa.
Watford defended relatively well for the first half an hour but the floodgates then opened on the 31st minute when Kyle Walker brilliantly found Raheem Sterling in the box and his sweet strike left Ben Foster with no chance of keeping the ball out. 0-1
City were awarded a penalty five minutes before half time when Sterling danced his way through the Hornets’ defence and was eventually tripped by Will Hughes.
The winger picked himself up from the foul but his penalty was brilliantly saved by Foster, but he could do nothing to stop the rebound. 0-2
Man City, who will finish second this season, made it 3-0 on the 63rd minute, and Sterling was involved again when his shot was saved again by Foster, but this time Phil Foden was quick on his feet to tap home the rebound. 0-3
Kevin De Bruyne added yet another assist to his season’s tally on the 67th minute when his cross found Aymeric Laporte’s head, leaving Watford feeling sorry for themselves heading into the final game of the season against Arsenal. 0-4
Watford will first need a favour from the Gunners, who face Villa tonight at 8:15pm.
If the Birmingham-based side were able to pick up an unexpected win, they would leapfrog the Hornets ahead of the final day.
A draw for Watford on Sunday, July 26 at the Emirates would be enough for Premier League safety, if Villa were to drop points against Arsenal tonight.
Bournemouth could also achieve safety with a win away at Everton, if Watford were to lose and Aston Villa drop points in both their remaining games.
Picture credit: Watford FC
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