Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a stunning 8-0 triumph over sorry Watford to record their biggest ever top-flight victory at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side slipped to a shock defeat at Norwich City last weekend but responded in spectacular fashion against the league’s bottom side, racing into a five-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

David Silva got them on their way after 52 seconds before a Sergio Aguero penalty and goals from Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Nicolas Otamendi put the game out of the sight before the midway point of the first half. Bernardo Silva grabbed the first top-flight hat-trick of his career with goals in the 48th and 60th minutes before Kevin De Bruyne added an eighth five minutes from time.

Man City hat-trick hero Bernardo Silva, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “We were unbelievable in the first 30 minutes, scored lots of goals and had control. After the Norwich defeat, it was great to give our fans the result and the performance.

“We aimed to keep it going in the second half. We didn’t want them to hurt us or score past us. Footbal is a hard game – I’ve won 8-0 today but I’ve lost plenty of times by five or four goals. You just have to keep going so I wished the Watford players well.

On Kevin de Bruyne: “Kevin de Bruyne is a fantastic player. Everyone knows how good he is when he is fit. When he is playing like today he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

On what he’ll do with his match ball: “I’m going to get all the players to sign my ball and then I’ll take it home to Portugal and keep it in a special place..”

?| Bernardo Silva On what he'll do with his match ball:

“I'm going to get all the players to sign my ball and then I'll take it home to Portugal and keep it in a special place..” pic.twitter.com/96ncl9Grx5

— City Chief (@City_Chief) September 21, 2019