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City win but rue Guendogan injury

Manchester City's 2-0 home win over Watford was marred by a serious injury to midfielder Ilkay Guendogan.

The German midfielder faces "a long time" out after hurting his knee during the first half of yesterday morning's (Singapore time) match.

Guendogan, 26, dislocated his kneecap last spring and spent several months in recovery prior to joining City and the latest problem affects the same knee.

He unsuccessfully tried to play on after sustaining the injury in an awkward fall and left the field in clear distress shortly before the interval.

Manager Pep Guardiola said: "I'm so, so sad and unhappy for what happened to Ilkay Guendogan.

"We're going to miss him I think for a long time. It is the worst news from the day."

Defender Pablo Zabaleta, who opened the scoring for City with his first goal in two years, believes that the team's grit saw City through a tough game.

The Argentinian said: "It has been a long time without a win playing at home - it has been strange.

"It was not the prettiest game but we had determination to win the game."

Zabaleta gave City the edge by turning home a Kevin De Bruyne cross just after the half-hour.

City finally killed off the game four minutes from time, when David Silva claimed their second just moments after Watford's Odion Ighalo had spurned a good opportunity to equalise.

The result brought some welcome relief for City, who notched their first win in four games and only their fifth in 16 in all competitions.

It was also their first victory at home in the league in almost three months, and their first clean sheet in nine attempts. 
- WIRE SERVICES

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