EPL 2017/18: Watford 0-6 Manchester City, 5 talking points

#2 Watford attempt possession-based football

This Silva's first PL defeat as Watford manager

In the past, we’ve become accustomed to the Hornets playing a direct style of football. The pitch of Vicarage road often resembled an airstrike ground as long ball after long ball was produced, often putting other teams to the sword.

However, the revolution initiated by Marco Silva has begun and Watford now resembles a different side entirely. Instead of seeking to hoof it up the pitch to the striker, Watford played it out from the back, keeping their direct passes to a minimum.

Throughout the game, the home team completed 311 passes with 62.3% of them occurring in City’s half. Silva is gradually changing the culture at Vicarage road, ushering in a new era of attractive football. It may not have worked today, but in the future, it will yield results.