Jesus stole the display on the Etihad Stadium with the primary Premier League haul of three or greater goals in his career. The Brazilian forward had netted best once in the league on account that September, but he tore Watford to shreds with a predatory show of finishing.
He struck twice in the first half before Watford's Hassane Kamara in short decreased the deficit. Rodri restored City's -goal advantage and Jesus bagged two greater after half of-time to finish the rout. After dropping to Liverpool within the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, Pep Guardiola's aspect have signalled their willpower to retain the title.
They brushed off Brighton three-0 on Wednesday and their demolition of 2d backside Watford continues the pressure on second placed Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's guys can near the gap returned to 1 point in the event that they beat struggling Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday. In a thrilling title race that looks destined to go right down to the wire, City have five league video games left as they chase a fourth English crown in 5 years.
Their stroll in opposition to Watford became the appropriate training for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid in Manchester on Tuesday. Guardiola made six changes from the Brighton recreation, with Ruben Dias changing the injured John Stones for his first start when you consider that March 1 after a hamstring injury. Guardiola insisted on Friday that he relishes the stress that incorporates contending for more than one trophies in the final weeks of the season.
"Of route we revel in it," he stated. "We'd favor to be on this role than not, having the danger to try to make lower back-to-lower back titles. I adore it. "Guardiola's gamers seem comfortable amid the name anxiety.
Since drawing 0-0 on the Etihad in 2006, Watford had lost on each in their preceding seven visits, with an combination rating of 25-2 to City. They haven't beaten City for the reason that 1989 and it took simply four minutes for Guardiola's men to say their superiority. Joao Cancelo's pass reached Oleksandr Zinchenko and he picked out the unmarked Jesus, who timed his run to complete from near-variety.
City's early dominance turned into interrupted by way of a risky Watford counter as Emmanuel Dennis surged clean before Zinchenko made a terrific closing-ditch address to forestall the risk. The champions held 80 percentage of the ownership and that incessant stress paid off within the 23rd minute.
Kevin De Bruyne changed into the author with an inch-perfect pass and Jesus implemented the crowning glory with a deft header. Watford pulled one lower back in opposition to the run of play five minutes later. Dennis flicked a skip into Kamara's path and the Ivorian hit a low strike that must have been smooth for City keeper Ederson, who by some means allowed it to sneak past his vulnerable attempted store.
Rodri eased City's surprising tension in the thirty fourth minute because the Spanish midfielder smashed a blistering volley into the pinnacle corner from lengthy-range. City had been returned inside the groove and they struck once more inside the 49th minute whilst Jesus seized on Kamara's mistake and changed into added down by way of Foster. Jesus picked himself up to take the spot-kick and slotted beyond Foster to complete his treble.
The 25-yr-antique wasn't completed yet and he netted for the fourth time after 53 minutes. Jack Grealish, Jesus and De Bruyne blended in a blur of passes that left Watford bewildered earlier than the Brazilian capped the flowing move with a deadly finish.
