Man City 3-0 Watford

Keegan: Watched his side turn Watford inside out

Kevin Keegan's Manchester City career got off to the perfect start as he saw his side crush Watford at Maine Road.

The victory owed much to the craft and ingenuity of former West Ham midfielder Eyal Berkovic.

The Israeli masterminded City's victory in front of 34,000 delighted fans, scoring one while Shaun Goater and Stuart Pearce grabbed the others.

Watford's misery was compounded by a red card for full-back Paul Robinson.

City manager Keegan was pleased with the performance of his players in a match which was billed as the meeting of Keegan and Vialli.

"It wasn't about Keegan or Vialli, although I know why the papers built it up," said Keegan.

"We were both fairly good players - but when the referee blew his whistle there was nothing we could do, except hope we had prepared our sides right.

Vialli: "We should have done better"

"It was a tremendous performance.

"We didn't get our rewards in the first half - but the lads kept their heads down and the football we played was breathtaking.

"But I think we can play better."

Watford boss Vialli acknowledged the significant contribution of Berkovic after the game.

The former Chelsea boss said: "He gave us problems running with the ball, taking players on, and playing between the back four and the midfield four.

"But having said that we should have done better.

"Manchester City did very well. It was difficult for us to control the game.

"We did it for a good 20 minutes and then in the second half we started well - but it was too little.

"If we want to be the best we've got to play like that for 90 minutes.

"It's disappointing but we know we are not at our best yet. We can only get better - we know what we've got to work on.

"We've got to be positive; it's only the start of the season and we've got to keep working."

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Man City: Nash, Wiekens, Howey, Pearce, Charvet, Granville, Tiatto, Dunne, Berkovic, Goater, Wanchope. Subs: Murphy, Colosimo, Whitley, Dickov, Huckerby.

Watford: Baardsen, Blondeau, Robinson, Vega, Galli, Nielsen, Hyde, Vernazza, Hughes, Gayle, Smith. Subs: Chamberlain, Ward, Fisken, Helguson, Foley.

Referee: M Riley (Leeds).