WATFORD — Manchester City maintained its Premier League title challenge after ending its away-day blues with a stirring late comeback that saw it win 2-1 at Watford Saturday.
Two goals in as many minutes from talismans Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero kept City in touch at the top of the table when it appeared that it was destined for defeat.
Aleksandar Kolarov had headed Ben Watson’s corner into his own net and the visitors were struggling for ideas before Toure and Aguero struck in quick succession to steal victory.
It was City’s first win on the road since Sept. 12 and kept it three points behind leader Arsenal.
“We have to build on this - we hadn’t won in six on the road,” goalkeeper Joe Hart said. “It’s not championship-winning form but we’re somehow still in it.”
Despite the shadow of Pep Guardiola looming large over Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager has been tipped by his Watford counterpart Quique Sanchez Flores to win the league title.
Whether the Chilean will still in be in charge at the Etihad Stadium come next season, with or without winning the championship, remains to be seen.
But his team find itself playing catch-up after a woeful away run that had seen it collect just three points from its previous six games on the road.
They knew they could ill-afford a repeat failure against a Watford side which has surprised many this season.
Watford withstood the initial flurry of attacks and could have wrapped up the win if Etienne Capoue had not blazed wildly over following a surging run with 10 minutes remaining.
And it proved costly as Toure’s superb first-time volley from Kolarov’s 82nd-minute corner hauled the visitors level.
Two minutes later the turnaround was complete. Bacary Sagna’s inviting cross from the right found the unmarked Aguero, who headed home his 10th goal of the season.
Watford was stunned, but did not wilt. Top-scorer Odion Ighalo had a good chance to level but sent a tame effort straight at Hart from 10 yards after doing well to swivel.
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores felt his side was taught a tough lesson by City.
“It was very difficult to accept,” Flores said. “It’s very difficult to explain to the players why we haven’t won today — we did everything good.” — Agencies
