Fernandinho aims to maintain Man City winning run

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho scored against Watford yesterday. Credit: PA

Midfielder Fernandinho says Manchester City have no intention of easing up after continuing their flying start to the season.

City maintained their perfect winning run as they beat promoted Watford 2-0 with another thoroughly professional performance at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling claimed his first competitive goal for the club and Fernandinho also struck as City improved their Barclays Premier League record to played four, won four with 10 goals scored and none conceded.

City's flow could now be interrupted by the international break but Fernandinho is determined not to lose focus.

The Brazil international said: "I think it was one of the best games we have ever played at home. It is important to keep a clean sheet and keep scoring goals, and I am happy to have scored my second goal of the season.

"When you win a game like that the most important thing is to try to keep the same performance.

"It is always good when we play so good the last game before the international break. We take more confidence to play for the national team as well and I hope, in 15 days when we come back, we can keep on the same level as well."

City were made to work for their latest three points as Watford sat back in an attempt to nullify the home side's formidable attack.

It worked for 45 minutes but City manager Manuel Pellegrini made a tactical change at the break, introducing Samir Nasri, moving David Silva wide and pushing Sterling into the middle.

The rewards were instant as Sterling turned home a Bacary Sagna cross two minutes after the restart and Fernandinho blasted in a second after combining neatly with Silva.

Fernandinho said: "I think the intensity we played in the second half was different from the first half. They defended very well in the first half but in the second they gave some space for us. We created some chances to score.

"We scored the first goal so fast with Raheem and I think this changed the game, and at the end we scored my goal as well."

The defeat was Watford's first of the season after opening with three successive draws.

They offered little in terms of attacking threat but were well organised and disciplined in the face of well-drilled and highly-motivated opposition.

Defender Jose Holebas, one of 12 signings since the club won promotion, believes the early signs have been positive.

He said: "I think at the beginning we had six or seven players on the pitch that had never played in the Premier League. It was all right against Everton, we played well.

"This was a bit different because we know Man City are a strong team. We were keeping a little more back.

"But I am really confident. I think it will be better now. Everybody knows the league now.

"You have to play on if you want to keep in the Premier League. You have to play football and I think we will do all right."