Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku were the only players to keep their starting berths from the entertaining draw with Arsenal on Sunday evening, as the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were given starts. It didn't take the Citizens long to get the breakthrough as Doku broke the deadlock on five minutes with a lovely finish from just inside the box after being set up by Grealish. Watford had the ball in the back of the net in the 21st minute through Kwadwo Baah's impressive solo effort, but the strike was ruled out for the attacker's foul on Kaden Braithwaite.
Pep Guardiola's charges were able to double their lead at the other end as Matheus Nunes collected a pass from Rico Lewis before unleashing a low strike from distance that saiiled into the back of the net. The second half continued in similar fashion to the first, with Imran Louza going close with a powerful volley from distance while Savinho went even closer at the other end when his strike was cleared off the line. The woodwork came to Watford's rescue in the 72nd minute after Savinho ran the length of the visitors half, before cutting inside and unleashing a low strike that hit the upright.
Watford gave themselves some hope when Tom Ince pulled one back in the 86th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box. However, there would be no late comeback for the Hornets in stoppage time as the Citizens held on to book their spot in the fourth round..