Sterling opens scoring for City with Watford claiming offside
England forward completes hat-trick with two close-range finishes
Deulofeu pulls goal back for Hornets
Leaders Man City will go four points clear of Liverpool with win
Second-placed Liverpool play Burnley on Sunday
Time for us to wrap things up here. Manchester City did what they needed to do today, now it's over to Liverpool.
Their game against Burnley kicks off a solid Sunday of Premier League action that's completed with Arsenal versus Manchester United.
We'll be back to build up to those games tomorrow, so see you then!
Man City 3-1 Watford
Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier today there were reports coming out of Italy that Pep Guardiola had told Juventus he was willing to join them at the end of the season.
The Manchester City manager was asked about the reports in his post-match press conference.
He couldn't have been more clear in his answer. Guardiola is going nowhere.
He said: "I don’t understand why someone says something on social media and everyone says it is happening, when they don’t try to call the club, my agent, Juventus.
"I am sorry for Allegri. I have two years and it is impossible for me to move, unless I get sacked. I am not going to Juventus for the next two seasons."
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Manchester City
And on the controversial first goal for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola added: "I thought it was not a goal because of the linesman’s decision and then the referee says it is. With VAR we don’t have this problem, the Premier League decides against VAR, when all around the world we have it. Next season we won’t be having this conversation and we will be clear.
"In the beginning of the season we (Manchester City) voted for VAR to help referees but many clubs didn’t want it and this kind of situation would be easier. In other games there are wrong decisions goals are offside, dives make penalties which is why VAR helps referees to make the job better. I am helped by my staff and referees need help from technology."
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Manchester City
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day:
"It is the end part of the season so every game is important. For three months we wait to be top of the league and now we have to try and win our games. I am sorry if it (the first goal) is offside but we deserve to win. The opponent comes here -against Liverpool they tried to press but here they have 11 players in the box. Literally there is no spaces but we found it and we created a lot which is why we deserved to win.
"Today is not luck. We won because we were better, much better than the opponent. Here there are many people working to make last season’s level and if they can do that it will be down to hard work and not luck.
"With the second goal soon after it was easier but at the end with long balls they win the duels. Maybe Troy Deeney is the best player at holding the ball up but even with those situations we created on the counter attack two or three chances to win the game."
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Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Watford
More Javi Gracia, speaking about his decision to make seven changes to his side for the game: "It was a good decision because before the game we thought we needed fresh legs to defend and run a lot. I trust all my squad we have 26 players available and all of them are ready to help the team in the different moments they have.
"We focus on the next game the quarter finals and try as usual to do our best and progress. We can speak about many things but we need to win the next game. All our supporters are looking forward to this game and they know with their support we are able to beat anyone."
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Watford
Image source, Getty ImagesWatford manager Javi Gracia speaking to BBC Match of the Day:
"Everybody could see what happened, it was a game before that moment and a game after it. The game changed we played a very good first half, defensively perfect, knowing we have options in the second half and in that moment our plan changed and it was difficult for us.
"I think it is offside because when Aguero touches the ball Sterling is offside and he influences it by going to the ball. The linesman says it is offside but I do not criticise the referees and I will not do it today.
"The officials have to explain their decision, not me. I said to him the screen and it was offside, but they try to do their best and make the decision and we have to accept.
"They don’t need a lot of things to change the game because they have a high quality squad, we waited for our moment but it wasn’t enough."
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Manchester City
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City goalscorer Raheem Sterling speaking to BBC Match of the Day:
“It’s a massive win, it was difficult in the first half to break them down, they were compact and solid. We got the slight luck we needed and kept going and pressing.
“In my head I am hoping and praying. I don’t know what the issue was but I was hoping my goal didn’t get cancelled out! We got it and it kick started our game. I don’t think I was offside but I don’t know what the issue was, I was just happy to see it count.
“I needed to get the second goal and then with 54 minutes gone I thought I could get a third. It is only my second match ball and I want to try and get some more.
“They are a great team, their substitute made an instant impact which rattled our cages but we kept focused. Every game is a final but we focus on our next game which is the Champions league. We relax and take our time.
“All we can do is focus on ourselves, but let’s hope we can get a bit of luck as well.”
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Image source, ReutersWatford manager Javi Gracia is refusing to get drawn on the decision to award the first Manchester City goal, but he's clearly frustrated by the decision.
"I think everybody saw what happened," he tells BT Sport. "I never criticise the referees and I am not going to do it today.
"I think we played very good first half, defensively perfect - collectively doing a very good performance."
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Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Manchester City
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City goalscorer Raheem Sterling speaking to BT Sport:
“The first half was difficult even for myself, it was hard to break them down but in the second half things opened up and we got the luck in the first goal and then took our chances really well
“We had 45 mins left and we knew we had to go for it and be more aggressive. I don’t know what it was (the linesman’s decision) but I was praying they gave it to us and we got that bit of fortune.
“I want to improve and this year is no different. I am trying to score not just goals but important goals to be there for the team
“We take a game at a time, we know we have strong contenders for the title but we have done our part and we’ll go again in the FA Cup.
“We are focused on one game at a time, today was difficult, we have a difficult run in but we are focused on winning.”
Image source, PAAway from the Premier League, there's a managerial casualty in the Championship with West Brom - fourth in the table - sacking Darren Moore following their 1-1 draw against strugglers Ipswich Town.
The 44-year-old initially took charge of the Baggies after they parted company with Alan Pardew in April 2018.He was later appointed as their boss after their Premier League relegation.
"This has been an enormously difficult decision for a club which will always hold Darren in such high regard," said chief executive Mark Jenkins.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Image source, .Here's how it looks at the top of the table.
Liverpool have the chance to swiftly bring that gap back down to one point when they host Burnley tomorrow.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
All over and it's six wins on the bounce for Manchester City in the Premier League as they go four points clear at the top.
All eyes now on Liverpool...
Image source, ReutersManchester City 3-1 Watford
... but Gerard Deulofeu thumps the ball into Vincent Kompany's face and the ball deflects behind for a Watford corner.
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Troy Deeney is fumbled to the ground by Vincent Kompany and Watford have the chance to claw another goal back with a free-kick just outside the box.
Gerard Deulofeu fancies it...
#bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)
Liverpool could win the league if they had Raheem Sterling!
Pete
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City 3-1 Watford
Four minutes added on at the end of the 90 - enough time for one more goal to pop up from somewhere?
Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Solid shift from Riyad Mahrez today and he's Pep Guardiola's final change, making way for a Phil Foden cameo for the final couple of minutes.
Man City 3-1 Watford
Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium
Pep Guardiola has a bee in his bonnet about goalkeeper Ederson.
The Brazilian took a quick goal-kick, which evidently angered the Manchester City manager.
Guardiola continued staring at Ederson long after the ball had done, then, when he sat down, pointed at him as he spoke to his coaches, clearly telling them what his keeper had done wrong.
Hard task master is Pep.
