Manchester City 8 Watford 0 : Player Ratings and MOTM

The Attack

Bernardo Silva

I did not really notice Bernardo was on the pitch until he scored his first goal. That is not a slight on his performance just an indication of how the eye was incessantly drawn to the others as they initially took the plaudits. Bernardo though scored his first ever hat trick as a professional footballer after some 170 plus games. He hardly celebrated though as if slightly ashamed that the goal which clinched it was a somewhat scruffy effort, which required two stabs to get past the hapless goal keeper. Any player who scores a hat trick probably deserves a maximum score but given he also played predominantly on the left hand side – a position where we have not really seen him operate before needs recognition too.

Player Rating 10

Sergio Aguero

Took his penalty well and it was important to really seal the early game dominance and set the tone. Missed a number of other opportunities though and should have added to his goal tally. Played an unselfish role up front taking the Watford defenders with him and creating space for the midfield to exploit. At the moment Jesus looks sharper and will no doubt get a chance to play in the Carabao Cup opener away at Preston.

Player Rating 8

Riyad Mahrez

The resurgence of Riyad continues and a million fans in Algeria rejoice! I have said before that at the moment every single game played by Mahrez seems like an improvement on the previous. This was also true today as he rampaged in a way unlike we have seldom seen before. Full of running and dribbling skills and now with the confidence to really take his moments to shine.

Player Rating 9