DOKU EASES PEP SPIRITS

Early strike is the perfect tonic for boss

- DAVID ANDERSON

AFTER the drama of Sunday, which was like Bridgerton and Sherwood rolled into one, this was the routine win Manchester City wanted.

MAN City are still counting the cost of the fireworks against Arsenal and Pep Guardiola confirmed before kick-off last night that key midfielder Rodri will be out for a lengthy period with his knee injury.

They needed a straightforward match, especially with this tie starting just 49 hours after John Stones' 98th-minute equaliser, and they got it.

They rejected the offer to play the game at Vicarage Road and their gamble paid off as Guardiola's much-changed side proved too strong.

Watford did pull a goal back four minutes from time through Tom Ince to make the tie briefly competitive, but it was not enough to alter the outcome.

Visiting manager Tom Cleverley prioritised Saturday's Championship showdown with Sunderland as he made nine changes to take the sting out of any challenge the Hornets might have posed.