Ex-Liverpool Attacker Hits 1st League Treble For Man City

Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling was the hero for Manchester City on Saturday evening as he scored three goals to help the Citizens extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Sterling scored his first Premier League hat-trick for Manchester in their controversial 3-1 win over stubborn Watford at the Etihad Stadium.

Raheem Sterling is seen as a villain of some sort at Liverpool after he controversially left the club to join Manchester City for a then club-record fee of £50m including add-ons.

He has been a mainstay of the Manchester City team in the last few seasons and was part of the record-breaking league title-winning squad of last season.

Manchester City were frustrated by Watford in the first half of their Premier League meeting before Sterling broke the deadlock.

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Centre referee Paul Tierney overruled his assistant to give Sterling and Manchester City the first goal shortly after the halftime interval.

England international Sterling had been in an offside position before Watford defender Daryl Janmaat hit a clearance off of him and into the back of the net.

Riyad Mahrez provided the assist for Sterling to score a second goal moments later.

The former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) player then went on to score off a pass from Spanish playmaker David Silva.

Watford substitute Gerard Deulofeu pulled one back for the visitors but it proved to be mere consolation for the Hornets.

Manchester City are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table with the win.