Hornets well and truly stung by City

MANCHESTER City returned to form and increased Watford’s relegation fears with a 4-0 win at Vicarage Road.

Raheem Sterling netted twice to help City bounce back following Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal.

Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte added further efforts, but it was a welcome result for 19th-placed Bournemouth who live to fight another day.

Watford’s interim head coach Hayden Mullins now knows they may need a positive result at Arsenal on Sunday to ensure the hard work done by former Newcastle United coach Nigel Pearson – sacked last weekend does not go to waste.

City immediately pinned the hosts back at Vicarage Road and the deadlock was eventually broken with 31 played by Sterling.

Foden’s overhit cross was rescued by Kyle Walker on the right and, although his centre looked out of reach, Sterling trapped the ball with precision and smashed into the top corner.

And nine minutes later it was 2-0. Sterling found space in the area and this time was clipped by Hughes, with referee Michael Oliver pointing to the spot. The England international took responsibility and even though Foster made a fantastic save, Sterling was first to the loose ball.

Foden then volleyed in with 62 played after Sterling was denied his hat-trick by Watford’s number one.

Guardiola replaced the attacker straight after and De Bruyne edged closer to Thierry Henry’s Premier League assist record four minutes later.

The Belgian’s free-kick was headed home by Laporte at the back post.