AFTER the drama of Sunday, which was like Bridgerton and Sherwood rolled into one, this was the routine win Manchester City wanted.
MAN City are still counting the cost of the fireworks against Arsenal and Pep Guardiola confirmed before kick-off last night that key midfielder Rodri will be out for a lengthy period with his knee injury.
They needed a straightforward match, especially with this tie starting just 49 hours after John Stones' 98th-minute equaliser, and they got it.
They rejected the offer to play the game at Vicarage Road and their gamble paid off as Guardiola's much-changed side proved too strong.
Watford did pull a goal back four minutes from time through Tom Ince to make the tie briefly competitive, but it was not enough to alter the outcome.
Visiting manager Tom Cleverley prioritised Saturday's Championship showdown with Sunderland as he made nine changes to take the sting out of any challenge the Hornets might have posed.
This story is from the September 25, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 25, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JOSH GETS A BOSHIN'
Brook books decider as Inglis hits boos
KEEP CALM AND CARRY VAUGHAN
'Cursed' prop keen to put heartbreak behind him
IT'S DANCING IN THE DARK FOR DIANNE
STRICTLY'S Dianne Buswell puts on a blindfold to see what her dancer Chris McCausland copes with when he's on the ballroom floor.
Shop horror
WIGS USED TO HIDE SHAME IN CHEMIST
Sick as a robot
SPURS ICON: COMPUTERS HAVE TAKEN OVER FOOTIE SCOUT JOBS
May quits RSPCA in farms row
QUEEN STAR'S FURY OVER KICKED COWS
HOPE TREE FOR FERGUS
A SAPLING spawned from the felled Sycamore Gap tree will be planted in memory of a boy who died of cancer.
It's lion dancing for cubs
FORGET line dancing, these cubs look like a pair of lion dancers as they play fight in the morning sunlight.
Farewell to a true D national treasure
LEGEND HAD GLITTERING FILM CAREER
OF THE INVASION SOGGY RATS
Flushed-out rodents will flood homes