Man City 5 – 1 Watford

Gabriel Jesus starred for Manchester City as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table, scoring four goals and assisting another in a 5-1 dismantling of Watford.

Pep Guardiola’s side did not waste the advantage of playing first this weekend and now lead Liverpool by four points, with the Reds facing Everton in the Merseyside derby on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports from 4pm.

And it was Brazilian forward Jesus who propelled Man City to another impressive victory against the relegation-threatened Hornets, who remain seven points from safety with five games to play.

It looked like the hosts would run away with the first half once again when Jesus scored his first goal inside four minutes. City scored five goals in the first 18 minutes when Watford last visited the Etihad in September 2019.

Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up Joao Cancelo’s long cross over on the left of the area, with his fizzing cross turned home by Jesus’ outstretched foot.

The 25-year-old made it two for City in the 23rd minute with arguably one of the easiest goals he will score this season, heading home a curling ball after a world-class cross from Kevin De Bruyne on the left.

Jesus’ hat-trick came just seconds after the restart. Man City were awarded a penalty as Jesus, who had easily outmuscled Hassane Kamara down the right of the area, saw his legs swiped from underneath him by Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster. “It is a stonewall penalty,” Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday.

Despite a mix-up in communication between the on-field and VAR officials meaning it took a few minutes for the penalty to be taken, it did not affect Jesus as he powered the ball into the far corner for his fourth career hat-trick.

Then, in the 53rd minute, it was four for Jesus after some simply sublime one-touch build-up. After some good work from Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish in midfield, Jesus played a neat one-two with De Bruyne before sweeping the ball past Foster for Man City’s fifth of the game.

However, the pick of the afternoon’s goals arguably came from Rodri, who scored a rocketed effort to restore City’s two-goal lead in the 34th minute. De Bruyne had been fouled in the build-up, but referee Kevin Friend waved play on.

It worked in City’s favour too as Jesus – nabbing an assist alongside his four goals – picked out Rodri at the top of the area. Despite Fernandinho pleading with him to put it out of play so De Bruyne could be treated, Rodri only had eyes for goal, sending a thunderous effort past Foster from range.

Watford did look like putting up some form of a fight in the first half. Zinchenko stopped Watford from a quick equaliser in the 12th minute, making a last-ditch tackle to thwart Emmanuel Dennis’ fast break.

Roy Hodgson’s side had already proven they could spring a surprise and went a step further when they made it 2-1 just before the half-hour. Some lovely build-up play from Joshua King and Dennis on the left saw the latter lift a delightful ball into the middle for Kamara who powered it into the far corner with a superb finish.

However, the Hornets were simply outclassed by a muscle-flexing Man City, who will hope for a similar showing when they take on Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday evening.

Man of the match – Gabriel Jesus

With four goals and an assist, it would be hard to give the award to anyone else. A superb afternoon’s work for Jesus at a crucial time in Man City’s season.

How the table stands

What’s next?

Up next for Manchester City is the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. Then City return to Premier League action on Saturday at Leeds, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 5.30pm.

Next for Watford is a home game against relegation rivals Burnley on Saturday; 3pm kick-off.

Manchester City’s fixture schedule:

To be rearranged: Wolves (a) Premier League

Tuesday – Real Madrid (h) Champions League SF first leg

April 30 – Leeds (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 4 – Real Madrid (a) Champions League SF second leg

May 8 – Newcastle (h) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 15 – West Ham (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 22 – Aston Villa (h) Premier League

May 28 – Champions League final *

* Subject to progress

Watford’s remaining fixtures

April 30 – Burnley (h)

May 7 – Crystal Palace (a)

May 10 – Everton (h)

May 15 – Leicester (h)

May 22 – Chelsea (a)