City hammer Hornets to leave them deep in mire

WATFORD 0 MAN CITY 4

BEN FOSTER said Watford’s “scared” players had to take a good look at themselves after a thumping defeat by Manchester City thrust them back into the relegation mire going into the last game of the season.

The former England international made a string of brilliant saves, which could still prove crucial with goal difference so tight at the bottom.

But just three days after the shock sacking of Nigel Pearson, Foster feels the Watford players’ confidence is shot to

pieces going into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday.

“Every one of us has to look at ourselves,” said the 37-year-old Foster.

“We didn’t want it to be damage limitation against City, but that’s the way it looked from where I was standing, and that’s just ridiculous.

“You have got to give it a go and we didn’t do that. I think we looked scared. At the minute they are very dejected, very down.”

Watford’s caretaker manager Hayden Mullins felt that former Manchester United keeper Foster, who won the last of his four England caps in 2014, might feel better about the situation in the morning.

“You have got to remember when you are a player on the pitch you have been out there for 90 minutes and there are a lot of emotions going on in your head,” said Mullins, above, who was promoted from Under-23s coach when Pearson was dismissed at the weekend.

“Maybe when he gets in tomorrow he will have a completely different outlook.”

Manchester City starlet Phil Foden felt the one-sided nature of the match showed his side had recovered fully from their surprise FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday.

“We weren’t ourselves against Arsenal,” said the 20-year-old. “The energy wasn’t there and that was disappointing. But it was good to be back on track tonight. We were back to being ourselves.

“I feel good at the moment but I’ve got a long way to go to be a regular starter.

“However, it would be special for me to finish alongside [the departing] David Silva against Norwich on Sunday.

“He’s a legend for the club and has done a lot for us.”