'I am so sorry and I apologise to Javi and to Watford': Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises for Raheem Sterling's offside goal

Manchester City defeated Watford 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday late kick off.

Pep Guardiola issued an apology to Watford over the award of Manchester City's first goal on Saturday, and admitted that VAR cannot arrive soon enough in the Premier League.

Raheem Sterling's goal in the 46th minute, which set City on their way to a 3-1 win, and to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, was mired in controversy.

It was initially ruled out for offside as Sergio Aguero laid off a pass from Ilkay Gundogan into Sterling's path.

Raheem Sterling scored three times to record hat trick as Gerard Deulofeu scored the consolation late in the game.

Guardiola knew the goal opened up a can of words and instead preferred to focus on the introduction of VAR to help our beleaguered officials.

In fact, the City boss thinks it is not good enough that the Premier League is lagging behind the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga in not already using more technology.

'We deserved to win by far,' said the City manager. 'We were the better team on the pitch and it is so difficult to attack when their striker, Gray, plays as a holding midfielder.

'That makes it so complicated. There are no spaces, just the talented players we have.

'If the first goal is offside, I am sorry. I don't know. But there should be an easy solution and next season there will be. With VAR, that will not be a problem, it will be fairer.

'At the beginning of the season, Manchester City voted to install VAR. Some clubs did not accept it. Hopefully next season like in other countries in Europe we can install it.

'I am so sorry and I apologise to Javi and to Watford if the first goal is offside, but we were incredible. We made an incredible game, we played well in the first half and had only one shot on target - their goal - against us. We created chances, we were solid.

'In Germany it is there, in Spain it is there but not here. Imagine if we have doubts sat here, what the referees are like having to decide in one second.

'If VAR is not going well, next season it will be better but we are going late to it. Next year, it will be the first year here and maybe we should have gone earlier. But it is what it is.'

'I am so sorry and I apologise to Javi and to Watford': Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises for Raheem Sterling's offside goal