Manchester City have responded to back-to-back Premier League defeats by beating Watford 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening and claiming their first top-flight win at home in three months.
Pablo Zabaleta was an unlikely scorer in the 33rd minute, while David Silva wrapped up the win four minutes from time to keep Pep Guardiola's side fourth in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
After a slow start, City began controlling possession and forcing Watford deeper into their own half, but for the first 30 minutes, the Hornets contained the two-time Premier League champions.
Heurelho Gomes was called upon to keep out Kevin De Bruyne's effort from the edge of the box, and a few minutes later denied Nolito's close-range attempt from the resulting corner kick.
A rare opportunity for Watford in the first half fell to Sebastian Prodl, whose 30-yard effort was comfortably handled by City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Gomes made a stop at his near post after Nolito tried to nutmeg him following some link-up play with Silva, but the shot-stopper failed to keep out Zabaleta on the 33rd-minute mark as the unmarked defender stabbed home at the back post after getting on the end of De Bruyne's cross.
De Bruyne searched for a goal of his own when he tried his luck from the corner of the box, but he curled the ball right into Gomes's arms.
Yaya Toure, who started ahead of Fernando, displayed some forceful runs into the danger area, and on one occasion struck from 20 yards out, only to watch the ball sail over the crossbar.
Watford got a sniff at goal in the closing stages of the first half when Nordin Amrabat's cross found Odion Ighalo, who targeted the near post, but Fernando dropped back to nick the ball.
A positive first half ended on a disappointing note for City as midfielder Ilkay Gundogan left the pitch in discomfort after feeling the effects of Amrabat's challenge.
After the break, City continued on the attack as De Bruyne and Silva exchanged passes before the Belgian fizzed the ball across the face of goal, but none of his teammates was there to tap in.
Raheem Sterling came close to making it two when he cut inside, turned and then unleashed a shot from the edge of the danger area, but the ball clattered off the crossbar and behind for a goal kick.
Walter Mazzarri cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as he witnessed Adlene Guedioura waste a free kick by blazing the ball high and wide from 40 yards out.
Trailing by just one goal gave Watford an opportunity to get back into the game, but both Etienne Capoue and Ighalo squandered late chances, with the former producing a save from Bravo and the latter sending the ball over the bar.
City eventually killed off the game with a counter-attack as Silva received the ball from De Bruyne, took a touch and then slotted it past Gomes and into the back of the net.
The Hornets dropped to 11th in the standings at the full-time whistle, but they are level on 21 points with Bournemouth and Southampton above them.
Danielle Joynson
