Sergio Aguero scored a header with five minutes remaining to give Manchester City victory at Watford.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men needed a win to make sure they did not lose more ground on Arsenal, who squeezed past Newcastle earlier in the day. City had not won in six Premier League away games.
Watford’s good form had dropped over Christmas, and it appeared victory would be theirs until the last 10 minutes. In the first half, they coped easily with lacklustre City, playing with what appeared to be a half-fit Sergio Aguero.
In the second half, the home side took the lead as Ben Watson whipped in a corner which flicked off Aleksandar Kolarov’s head past a stranded Joe Hart.
But Yaya Toure hit back for City with an exceptional volley at the near post from a Kolarov corner, and minutes later Aguero’s brilliant header won the game, leaving City just three points behind Arsenal after their first match of 2016.