Watford 1-2 Man City

City's Eyal Berkovic vaults a challenge

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Kevin Keegan's promotion bandwagon was given a slice of good fortune as Watford gifted Manchester City all three points on Sunday.

City had mustered only one second-half goal attempt when, after 79 minutes, Heidar Helguson attempted to pass back to goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain but instead found the corner of his own net.

Keegan's men could, however, have wrapped the points up in the first 20 minutes, the only stage in the game when they showed their pedigree.

We were a little bit lucky - but then again we did create a number of chances in the first half

Kevin Keegan
Man City manager

Chamberlain did well to stop shots from Danny Tiatto and Kevin Horlock in greasy conditions and Watford managed to scramble clear on both occasions.

But the best chance for City spell fell to Shaun Goater, who from Stuart Pearce's corner managed to miss the target from three yards out.

Keegan had cause to regret that miss when, with their first shot of the game, Watford took the lead after 26 minutes.

Micah Hyde sent the ball through for Helguson, who squared it for Tommy Smith to drill the chance into the net from just outside the area.

City replied within three minutes when Goater headed down a Tiatto cross and Paulo Wanchope swept the ball home.

We were very unlucky - in the second half we really took the game to them, and City lost their shape

Gianluca Vialli
Watford manager

Both sides went close before the interval, but Watford built up a head of steam in the second half.

Carlo Nash made fine saves to deny fierce shots by Stephen Glass and Paul Okon.

But his best save came when he deflected a shot from Jermaine Pennant after Allan Nielsen had sent the striker clear.

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Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Galli, Vega, Doyley, Okon, Hyde, Nielsen, Glass, Pennant, Smith. Subs: Baardsen, Noel-Williams, Helguson, Noble, Hand.

Man City: Nash, Dunne, Wright-Phillips, Wiekens, Pearce, Tiatto, Berkovic, Horlock, Benarbia, Goater, Wanchope. Subs: Weaver, Huckerby, Ritchie, Killen, Jensen.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire)