GAB FAB FOUR
Jesus ‘one of the best’ says
PEP GUARDIOLA was adamant ‘nothing had changed’ after four-goal Gabriel Jesus inspired this rout. But Manchester City’s boss was wrong. Following on from a draining week in which Champions League success was followed by FA Cup disappointment, any slip-up would have been feverishly seized upon.
However, eight goals scored in two outings at The Etihad, with just one conceded, have restored the fourpoint lead over Liverpool and moved City ever closer to a glorious finale.
Beating Brighton in midweek was the perfect pick-me-up and against the hapless Hornets it was muchmaligned striker Jesus who delivered – scoring more yesterday than he had managed in the Premier League all season.
“Nothing changes,” said
Guardiola, “When we won against Brighton we were two points behind – now we’re four in front.
“Brighton was a final.we had another final today and we won. Now we have a final against Leeds.
“So nothing changes.we have to win all five games to be champions.”
It was a personal triumph for
Jesus, linked this week with a summer move to Arsenal.
Whether that’s a timely reminder that the forward is out of contract at the end of next season remains to be seen but he could do no wrong yesterday.
Manchester City’s boss joked: “Man of the match, was he? If there’s one person who deserves days like that, it’s him.
“I don’t think one person in the backroom staff won’t be happy for him. I’m the happiest man in the world. He got what he deserved.”
Asked about the Gunners link, Guardiola added: “What’s going to happen, nobody knows.what we have done this season, we have done with Gabriel. He’s one of the best.
“But every player is happy here when they play 90 minutes all the time.at the end of the season, maybe we won’t extend the contract, maybe he’s happy to stay, maybe he decides he wants more minutes.
“At this moment I don’t care. I want focus. I know that every single player in that squad will do what he can to win those games before the end of the season.”
The first blow had been struck inside four minutes when Oleksandr Zinchenko centred for Jesus to prod home.
Twenty minutes later, Kevin de Bruyne whipped over a cross that begged to be finished. Jesus obliged.
Watford invoked Guardiola’s ire by scoring.the ball was lifted over the top and Hassane Kamara fired across Ederson.
That merely set up the standout moment of the afternoon. Jesus won possession in the corner and spotted Rodri, loitering 25 yards out.the Spaniard chested down and then thumped the ball past Ben Foster.
The Hornets needed just 10 seconds after half-time to concede the penalty for Jesus to collect his first Premier League match ball.
When he slotted home the fifth – another delicious team effort – the scoring ended.
Hornets boss Roy Hodgson said: “Defeats weigh heavily but next week against Burnley will be a case of lifting up confidence to put this game aside.
“But I’m not prepared to say its a nailed-on relegation. I don’t need to accept that we are relegated until we are.”
clear of Liverpool at the top of the table. Now they have a delicious Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid to look forward to.
Jesus will probably be back on the bench. Unless he can convince Guardiola to play him at right-back in the absence of the suspended Joao Cancelo and injured Kyle Walker.
His first goal was converted from six yards after three minutes, the second even closer 20 minutes later.
The match ball belonged to Jesus when Ben Foster tripped him 14 seconds into the second half and the Brazilian sent the Watford keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. It was his first Premier League hat-trick and he scored again four minutes later, when De Bruyne set him up.
Yet his tally for the season still only stands at 12. That’s why City need Haaland.
If only Watford boss Roy Hodgson had the same kind of problem to keep him awake at night. Hassane Kamara struck after Jesus’ first two goals, a fine finish. Guardiola petulantly threw down his water bottle in disgust.
But Rodri needed just five minutes to soothe the irritation of the Hornets’ sting with a thunderous 25-yard finish.
So City became the first club in English history to win 15 consecutive games against the same opposition.
Those victories have brought 58 goals with eight conceded. The only consolation for Watford was that the damage wasn’t more demoralising.
Raheem Sterling wasted chances that should have also given him a claim on the match ball.
Maybe asking Arsenal if they are interested might work wonders for the England winger during the run-in.