OK, that concludes the clockwatch for today. We almost saw history together. Thanks for reading.
Paul Wilson was at Goodison Park.
Ben Fisher was at Ashton Gate.
Report on Burnley 2-0 Norwich.
Bernardo Silva, the hat-trick hero speaks to the BBC:
It was a great performance, 8-0 says everything. It’s very good to get the three points after defeat at Norwich and I’m very happy with my first hat-trick of my career. My first match ball at home. All teams have good and bad moments, the way you react to the bad is the most important thing. Once again this team showed we want to fight for the Premier League and all the titles.
Those Manchester City 8-0 Watford stats in full.
6 - Man City have had six different goalscorers in a single Premier League game (exc. own goals) for the third time alongside 21/09/2008 vs Portsmouth and 14/10/2017 vs Stoke. Variety. pic.twitter.com/fVy9bEFynV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
6 - Manchester City have scored six goals in consecutive games against Watford; this is the first time an English top-flight side has scored 6+ goals in back-to-back meetings in all competitions with another top-flight club since Chelsea v Wigan in 2010. Cricket.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
8 - This was Watford’s heaviest ever defeat in English league football and only the third time they’ve conceded eight goals in a Football League game (1-8 vs Aberdare Athletic in Jan 1926 and 1-8 vs Crystal Palace in Sept 1959). Outclassed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has bravely fronted up to speak to Sky Sports.
It’s probably a bit of shock, embarrassment. I think we let ourselves down today and the fans a bit. The fans were giving it everything, all they’ve got, unfortunately we on the pitch didn’t give it all we have got.
As a keeper coming to City and Liverpool, if you let five in in 20 minutes you fear the worst, you think cricket scores. They are without doubt the best team I have ever played against. We were poor, didn’t lay a glove on them but at times it was breathtaking watching them.
You come away to City and I’m not joking, you come here and think if you keep it to two or three - they are so good. Them and Liverpool are a different level.
We didn’t do our job today. We have to take some positives but that’s football. You have to clean yourselves up, move onto the next one.
We have a few experienced lads but you have to keep smiling. I have just let eight in. I’m not happy but it is what it is. There is no point in dwelling, get ready for the next game and get ready.
Brad Wilson on Everton: “Dismal. Lack of, well, everything. Sam Allardyce did better.”
It hardly needs saying that Watford stayed bottom of the Premier League but Everton in 14th is a tale of woe and will lead to a week of speculation over Marco Silva.
A mention for Southend United, who got a first win of the season in winning 1-0 at MK Dons. They had to hang on after Charlie Kelman’s fourth-minute goal.
Here’s Jamie Jackson’s report from the Etihad.
News from Germany: Bayern Munich beat FC Cologne 4-0, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and then letting Philippe Coutinho take a penalty to score a first goal for Bayern. They are top of the table after Freibug could only draw 1-1 with Augsburg.
David Hindle protests too much: “This isn’t sour grapes, but surely the problem is losing last week, 3-2 to Norwich? 9-0 or 10-0 this week won’t make that go away. And Liverpool might well edge the match tomorrow by the odd goal. And still be 5 points ahead. That’s without even mentioning Champions League QF’s.”
Full-time: Burnley 2-0 Norwich
Norwich undone by Dycheball, muscled out of it and very disappointing while Burnley were excellent.
Full-time: Everton 0-2 Sheffield United
A big day for Chris Wilder and Phil Jagielka, potential doomsday for Marco Silva.
Updated
Full-time: Manchester City 8-0 Watford
That’s it. A record win for City, a record loss for Watford and still, it could have been more.
Updated
Disaster for Bolton, as Sunderland equalise through a penalty from Aiden McGeady. Another 1-1 for Sunderland, then, and a fairytale denied.
“Come on City,” sing their fans. They want nine, they want nine.
Swansea down to ten men at Bristol City after Jake Bidwell has been dismissed. They might fancy hanging on for that 0-0 now.
De Bruyne almost makes it nine for Manchester City after a solo run, and nine looked on as he gave Ben Foster the eyes and then missed the target. The Belgian has been the architect of this slaughter. There is just a minute left of normal time left.
Updated
Pablo Miguez says: “I remember a few years ago two Barcelona players got balls for scoring a hat-trick in the same match. Imho, the losing goalkeeper should get one too, as a consolation, since he could not get close to the ball during the match obviously...”
Goal! Manchester City 8-0 Watford (De Bruyne, 85)
A right-foot smasher into the roof of the net and City have their record number of goals in a Premier League match.
Updated
Can you be accused of bottling it when you fail to win 10-0? Go on, then, yes you can. Manchester City’s next game? Everton, so perhaps they can attempt to score ten against them.
Barry Bryan: “Agree that if we’re going to have VAR, it should be limited like cricket. But I think 3 is far too many. You’d virtually guarantee every goal gets reviewed (I mean, in normal matches). One per half? One per game?”
What did we talk about before VAR?
Goal! Everton 0-2 Sheffield United (Mousset, 79)
A defensive shambles as Mousset sashays through some awful defending. Boooo! Oh dear, Marco.
Updated
There are 14 minutes left for Manchester City to either level or surpass that record 9-0 margin of victory from Manchester United. Ben Foster in the Craig Forrest role?
Phil Jagielka, on as a sub and sat in front of the Sheffield United defence in midfield, has been outstanding at an ever more insurrectional Goodison Park.
Updated
Burnley have been denied what looked a certain penalty when Ashley Barnes was on the receiving end in the Norwich box. They still lead 2-0.
Championship: Swansea and Bristol City still deadlocked, as are Stoke and Brentford, while Nottingham Forest are well set, leading Barnsley 1-0 and set to climb up for fourth.
“Serious question here,” asks Jeremy Dresner.” If more than two hatricks are scored who gets the match ball? How is it decided? Do they both get one? Asking for a sky blue team.”
Must be a Coventry fan. Maybe look back to Paul Stewart, David White and Tony Adcock and the 10-1 v Huddersfield in 1987.
“This Evertonian would have started Iwobi and used just 1 holding midfielder, especially at home,” says Brad Wilson. “Silva’s tactics seem senseless and then he winds up panicking. Not a productive combination.”
Riyad Mahrez hits the bar with a header from an Angelino cross. City now wasteful?
There’s the not unfamiliar sound of boos coming from the Goodison not-so faithful. A loss to Sheffield United would be a severe blow to Marco Silva’s cachet and he seems powerless to change matters.
As a response to last week’s embarrassment, City could hardly have been more emphatic.
Goal! Manchester City 7-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva, 60)
A hat-trick for Bernardo and there are 30 minutes left to get three more goals. They were queuing up to score that. Bernardo got two goes.
Updated
The neighbours are now so noisy that next door have their earplugs on.
Manchester United have not scored six goals in a league game since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Manchester City have got six against Watford in 48 minutes.
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) September 21, 2019
Marco Silva is forced to go for broke against Sheffield United.
54' Marco makes a double sub.
— Everton (@Everton) September 21, 2019
🔵 0-1 ⚔️ #EVESHU pic.twitter.com/fTM70AAm8a
John Cox on VAR: “Of course it’s not sensible to say VAR offsides only count if it’s at least 10 cm. What if it’s 10.01? What would be sensible is a complete moratorium on tiresome whinging by commentators and ex-pros.”
Pep’s defensive experiments to continue as Cancelo is due to come on. If you can’t do that at 6-0 up then when can you?
CITY SUB | @kylewalker2 🔄 Joao Cancelo
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2019
🔵 6-0 🐝 #MCIWAT #ManCity pic.twitter.com/IhbaeoxmHi
Updated
Big goal, big noise as Bolton take the lead against Sunderland, for only their second goal of their season. Jack Hobbs got it. Sunderland concede again as they have in every game this season.
Updated
Goal! Manchester City 6-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva, 49)
Awful defending and Bernardo offered the freedom of Manchester to score his second. Watford doing anything other than trying to keep it tight and make sure they don’t lose the second half.
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Manchester City have made a change, bringing on Angelino for Benjamin Mendy. It looks a tactical change and one to give the returned Spaniard a run-out...
The second halves are back underway....
SECOND-HALF | What do you want to see in the next 45 minutes?
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2019
🔵 5-0 🐝 #MCIWAT #ManCity pic.twitter.com/qvI30IMDhU
Updated
Mark Rossell on the inescapable issue of VAR: “Wouldn’t the cricketing system work for football? Ref’s call if it’s a matter of 10 cm or less? and only 3 per side VAR reviews?”
Seems all too sensible to these eyes, Mark.
Pete Spencer: “Is there time for Watford to sign Ben Stokes for the second half?”
They could have done with Chris Tavare in the first half.
Report on that late-arriving Derby draw at Leeds
Other games of note: Stoke are 0-0 at Brentford as they try to turn around their fortunes. Swansea are being held to the same scoreline at Bristol City. Ipswich lead 1-0 at Gillingham while League Two leaders are 1-0 up on Exeter.
Half-time: Manchester City 5-0 Watford
Let us now give praise to Watford for not conceding for a further 27 minutes (plus three of time added on) after letting in five after 18 minutes.
Half-time: Everton 0-1 Sheffield United
Boos at Goodison. Everton are doing an Everton.
Half-time: Burnley 2-0 Norwich
Last week seems a long time ago for Norwich, who have been given quite the going over at Turf Moor.
Manchester City, chasing a Premier League record six-goal half-time, lead are into three minutes of injury time.
Richarlison has just blown a chance to equalise almost immediately for Everton against Sheffield United.
Two Rooneys have scored today. John Rooney, brother of Wayne, for Barrow in their National League game at Ebbsfleet, and Adam Rooney, for Salford (no relation), who has just scored his first in the EFL.
Goal! Everton 0-1 Sheffield United (Mina, 40 OG)
Confusion after Jordan Pickford misses the ball, and it comes off Yerry Mina for an own-goal. There was a lengthy delay for VAR but the fault was entirely with Everton’s chaotic defending.
Updated
Some City stats for your delight and delectation.
5 - Manchester City's five goals after just 18 minutes is the fastest any side has ever gone 5-0 ahead in a @premierleague match in the competition's history. Ridiculous.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
52 - David Silva's opener versus Watford after 52 seconds is the fastest goal scored in the Premier League this season. Lightning. pic.twitter.com/sNb3OPKOU9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
100 - Sergio Aguero has scored his 100th Premier League goal at the Etihad - he is one of just three players in the competition's history to net 100+ goals at a single venue, alongside Thierry Henry at Highbury (114) and Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford (101). Milestone. pic.twitter.com/1CaVQqMNzd
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2019
Updated
Ipswich are beating Gillingham 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kane Vincent-Young. They are on course to go back to the top of League One.
This was a debut to forget. Dimitri Foulquier is not injured.
An early switch...
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 21, 2019
⬅️ Foulquier
➡️ Pereyra
⏱️ 33’
⚽ 5-0#MCIWAT
Updated
Mark O’Brien asks: “What are the current odds for a Watford win?”
Answer: 1000/1 on a popular betting exchange. 500/1 elsewhere. Skinny odds all round.
Paul Fitzgerald: “Maybe City and Watford should do what we did as kids and swap players around at half-time. De Bruyne for Cleverley perhaps.”
Gareth Williams, Watford fan, has this to say: “I’ve lost the will to live...”
No Manchester City goal for ten minutes now, making a mockery of the competition, ruining football etc etc.
Updated
They are not slackening off just yet. Sergio Aguero has gone close twice for City, first missing when Ben Foster already looked beaten and then hitting the post with the second attempt.
Mary Waltz has diagnosed Watford’s problem: “Pep was so calm and gracious in defeat last week. He completely masked his rage and City was in Pep’s dental chair all week and they are making Watford pay for their discomfort.”
Norwich hit the post, as sub Moritz Leitner, from long range and on as a sub for the injured Alex Tettey, goes close to grabbing a lifeline. Burnley have been dominant.
Kean goes close for Everton, and then there’s a melee as Bernard chases the ball down with a booking for him and Baldock after they battle for the ball. There are claims of flailing elbows but instead it’s yellow rather than red.
Goal! Manchester City 5-0 Watford (Otamendi, 18)
It’s a tap-in from yards out. Have Watford given up completely? City could beat that United record from 24 years ago by half-time.
Updated
Ok, Everton and Sheffield United, it’s over to you. The other two games look to be done. The word is that it’s an even contest.
Goal! Manchester City 4-0 Watford (Bernardo Silva, 15)
This is getting very embarrassing now. Already. Anyone got Javi Gracia’s phone number?
Updated
Goal! Burnley 2-0 Norwich (Wood, 14)
Dwight McNeil’s ball, Wood’s left-footed finish. Too easy.
Updated
Goal! Manchester City 3-0 Watford (Mahrez, 12)
A deflected free-kick and already City look to be going for the all-time scoring record in the Premier League. Remember: that was Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich in 1995.
Goal! Burnley 1-0 Norwich (Wood, 10)
Burnley go down the other end and score through a Chris Wood header. After the Bernard Matthews show for Norwich?
Norwich go close, with Pukki let through by a mistake from James Tarkowski, but a fine save from Nick Pope averts the danger.
Ashley Barnes of Burnley has suffered a badly cut nose but he will not be stopped from playing on, will he?
Goal! Manchester City 2-0 Watford (Aguero, 7)
Riyad Mahrez was fouled by Ben Foster, and up steps Aguero to score. He has scored in every league game this season for City, all six. That Watford resistance did not last long at all.
Updated
Foden update from Gavin Coyle: “Phil Foden’s sick, Pep mentioned it in his press conference yesterday - same reason he didn’t travel to Ukraine. He should start midweek though.“
Everton are pushing on against Sheffield United, with Moise Kean to the fore and meanwhile at the Etihad, Gerard Deulofeu might have done better than hit the ball straight at City goalkeeper Ederson. City’s defence creaking? It looks that way.
Goal! Manchester City 1-0 Watford (David Silva, 1)
Kevin de Bruyne’s cross and David Silva’s tap-in, and it came after 54 seconds. The continuation of that Watford losing streak already looks set in stone.
Updated
In the Premier League, the teams are taking to the field. We are some back-slapping and mentions of official sponsors away from kick-off.
Phil Grey writes in on the VAR-ce in the Leicester game : “I think we witnessed a defining moment in post VAR football when Rob wrote GOAL? instead of GOAL! during the early kick-off. As a Man City fan I’ve already started shouting Yesss? instead of Yesss! every time we score.”
Agree. I actually think all that jiggery pokery over the non-goal for Aurier has swung what was a neutral opinion on the matter.
Couple of tweets, one by me, forgive my self-indulgence.
That VAR decision was brought to you by a mass spectrometer. The tiniest, most negligible of margins. And now Leicester are level.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) September 21, 2019
This came before today’s shenanigans from one of VAR’s most knowledgeable advocates.
The problem we have is that if VAR is being used to judge millimetres on offside, but not being used to order a penalty retake when a goalkeeper is definitely off his line, how does that present any confidence in VAR as a concept?
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) September 18, 2019
Updated
Gabriel Jesus is not selected to start today by Manchester City. Pep Guardiola provides an explanation here. There is, though, no explanation for the lack of Phil Foden. The likes of Mason Mount and James Maddison are older, of course, but are getting games and that is aiding their development this season.
Here’s Paul Doyle’s match report from the King Power Stadium.
Barry Glendenning on the unlikelihood of Watford beating City is worth a read.
And Leicester have beaten Tottenham, who haven’t won away in the league since January. Rob Smyth will bring you the reaction. James Maddison, a star is born - or came via Coventry and Norwich.
In the Championship, it’s finished 1-1 between Leeds and Derby, after Chris Martin equalised in injury time. He never meant to cause them trouble, he never meant to cause them pain...over to you, Swansea, who are at Bristol City today.
It’s all go in the early Premier League game.
Updated
The headline selections among that lot are Moise Kean’s start for Everton and the expected news - well, who else is there? - that Fernandinho will play in central defence for Manchester City.
Burnley v Norwich teams
TEAM NEWS: Here's how the Clarets line-up for today's game against @NorwichCityFC at Turf Moor. pic.twitter.com/ohLKxZuYZz
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 21, 2019
Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Pieters, Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Wood, Barnes.
Sub: Hart, Taylor, Brady, Rodriguez, Lennon, Vydra, Long.
Here is today's #ncfc squad to face @BurnleyOfficial ⬇️
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) September 21, 2019
Norwich: Krul, Byram, Godfrey, Amadou, Lewis, Tettey, McLean, Buendia, Stepermann, Cantwell, Pukki.
Subs: McGovern, Hanley, Roberts, Leitner, Heise, Drmic, Srbeny.
Updated
Everton v Sheffield United team news.
⚠ TEAM NEWS! ⚠
— Everton (@Everton) September 21, 2019
2️⃣ changes
🔄 Moise Kean and Bernard start
🔵 COYB! #EVESHU pic.twitter.com/IajOiJhk2n
Everton: Pickford, Digne, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Delph, Schneiderlin, Richarlison, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Kean.
Subs: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin, Walcott, Tosun, Iwobi, Davies.
Here’s how the Bladesmen line-up for today’s @premierleague fixture at Goodison Park 📍#SUFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/58v2irpFuC
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 21, 2019
Sheff Utd: Henderson, Baldock, Stevens, O’Connell, Basham, Egan, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood, Robinson, McBurnie.
Subs: Moore, Freeman, Morrison, Jagielka, Freeman, Mousset, Osborn.
Updated
Manchester City v Watford team
Your City line-up to take on Watford!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2019
XI | Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Mendy, Rodrigo, Silva (C), Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Aguero
Subs | Bravo, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Angelino, Cancelo, E Garcia
📝 @haysworldwide
🔵 #MCIWAT #ManCity pic.twitter.com/s2X9z7EZQq
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy, Rodri, Mahrez, De Bruyne, D. Silva, B. Silva, Aguero.
Subs: Bravo, Garcia, Cancelo, Angelino, Gundogan, Sterling, Jesus.
🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 21, 2019
Two changes for the Hornets at @ManCity.
➡ Mariappa, Foulquier
⬅ Kabasele, Gray#MCIWAT pic.twitter.com/6NWFgEEu9V
Watford: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Mariappa, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Foulquier.
Subs: Gomes, Janmaat, Kabasele, Chalobah, Pereyra, Sarr, Gray.
Updated
This month marks 125 years of Manchester City. Of course, Oasis have to be involved in this video.
MANCHESTER CITY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 20, 2019
125 YEARS
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/zblSbvltEU
Marco Silva is feeling the pressure somewhat.
Previews ahead of the Premier League team announcements.
Preamble
The week’s European action has decimated the traditional Saturday 3pm slot, but there is still much to play for this afternoon. Manchester City have a five-point deficit to make up on Liverpool after last week’s defeat at Norwich City. They strolled in midweek with Fernandinho in central defence against Shakhtar Donetsk, but Watford’s burly forwards might make life a little different for the Brazilian. What does that dreamboat Quique Sanchez Flores have planned? Real man Toy Deeney would have fancied a pop.
Mind, City have not lost to Watford since 1989 and have won the last 11 meetings. scoring 38 goals.
What next for Norwich and Teemu Pukki? Burnley could provide something of a rough landing. Dycheball v Farkeball, a clash of styles. Burnley have not won since opening day but their equaliser at Brighton last week through Jeff Hendrick was the type of sweeping goal that Norwich have become noted for.
Marco Silva’s sheen is being tarnished by Everton being, well, Everton again. They were hopeless last week at Bournemouth, frankly. Sheffield United, after their bright start, know they are in the Premier League now, and were on the end of VAR last week against Southampton. No Billy Sharp for them, either, after his red card in that game.
The Championship, after Leeds take on strugglers Derby in that early game, will see Swansea, who began the day level on points, taking on Bristol City. At the bottom, how can Stoke get on at Brentford. Or has Nathan Jones been going on too long?
In League One, Ipswich have chance to go back to the top with their match at Gillingham and in League Two, leaders Exeter are at Newport.
All that and the latest from Germany and Scotland, too.
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