De Bruyne out as City start again

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has been ruled out as Manchester City bid to return to winning ways against Watford tonight.

The Belgium midfielder was left limping after a reckless challenge by Jason Puncheon late in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace that ended City’s 18-game Premier League winning run.

The injury is understood not to be serious but Pep Guardiola will give his key man time to recover. He is also likely to be rested from Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Burnley.

However, Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for up to two months after damaging knee ligaments at Selhurst Park.

Ederson, who preserved City’s unbeaten record with a late penalty save at Palace, says Guardiola’s team need to take the positives out of the game rather than dwell on the end of their run. City fell one short of Bayern Munich’s record for consecutive wins in the leading European leagues.

The Brazilian goalkeeper said: “For the circumstances of the game, it’s good to have a point. But if you see the overall match it is not a good point.

“We faced a really good team, they defended really well but, overall, we deserved the win. But heads up, keep working, thinking about the next game.

“We are having an amazing season and we can’t complain. We will try to react well and win the next game. Then react to that and keep focused for the rest of the season.”

As for his vital penalty save, Ederson added: “I was just thinking about defending and saving the goal. It was the crunch time at the end of the game. I knew how important it was. Obviously I am really happy to save the penalty and generate a counter-attack. Unluckily we didn’t score.”

City have won their past seven meetings with Watford in all competitions, including 6-0 and 5-0 wins at Vicarage Road in their previous two encounters.

Hornets midfielder Ben Watson said: “We certainly have to be better than we were against them earlier this season. They were incredible that day and have worldclass players.

“It’s a team which is probably the best in Europe. They are playing with a lot of confidence and have taken the league by storm.

“We know it won’t be easy but we will give it our best shot and see if we can get something out of the game.

“We’ll go to the Etihad under no pressure whatsoever. They have to lose one day – hopefully that will be against us.”

Watford are in poor form having lost five of their past six games, including a 2-1 defeat against rock-bottom Swansea on Saturday.

Watson says Watford plan to frustrate a City side disrupted by injuries.

“You can go out and get punished but if you are really defensive then they can open you up,” he said.

“It’s about getting your balance right and hopefully we will.”

They may the best in Europe