Super Sergio’s rescue act

Manchester City 4 Watford 2

For the remaining 45 minutes, however, an equally stunning display of finishing from Sergio Aguero and the continued rehabilitation of £22 million forward Stevan Jovetic offered two more reasons why City could yet land the unprecedented quadruple.

Of the astonishing 110 goals City have now scored this season, just two have come from Jovetic, as injury and illness have curtailed the Montenegro international’s English career to date.

An early season injury followed indifferent form and was, in turn, followed by a bout of food poisoning as he was scheduled to return in a cup tie against Leicester in December.

Over the past month, and more vague injury reports, there have even been suggestions that Jovetic was unable to settle in England, struggling with homesickness.

But now, after two solid sub outings inside a week — a week that saw City advance in both the Capital One and FA Cups — Jovetic claims City fans, and rivals’ defences, are finally about to see his true calibre.

“The problem was because I came to the club after the pre-season tour to South Africa, where they were working three times a day for two weeks,” said Jovetic. “I was not training for Fiorentina, and I think that was the biggest problem.

“I had one problem, and then another, but that is the past and I don’t want to think about the past. I just want to look forward, and hope we will win a lot of games until the end.

“I had a calf at first, then at Leicester I was in the squad and supposed to play, and I ate something. I had a temperature and was vomiting. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me, but I just had to stay calm because there was nothing I could do. But I know my value and that the fans will love me.”

Manager Manuel Pellegrini and the City brains trust making personnel decisions have hardly put a foot wrong in the transfer market since taking full control last summer and while Jovetic’s problems have tested their perfect record, the manager himself has been encouraged by what he has seen over the past week.

“I am very pleased,” said Pellegrini. “The idea was to give Jovetic at least 45 minutes but it was important to win the game than think about individual players. I thought the 30-35 minutes he played he did very well.

“Jovetic is a mix. He’s a midfielder and he played a lot of games for Fiorentina behind the striker or on the left wing. He can replace Samir Nasri or Aguero and that is very important for the team.”

Pellegrini is wrong in one regard, for nobody can replace Sergio Aguero at present, as the Argentine proved by claiming a second half hat-trick to avoid an upset after Watford had taken an incredible — but fully deserved — 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Fernando Forestieri and Troy Deeney.

Aleksandar Kolarov scored with a 25-yarder which keeper Jonathan Bond let squirm through his legs for a 3-2 lead in the 87th minute but it was Aguero’s 30-minute hat-trick that was the difference. He has now scored 25 goals in 24 games in all competitions and six in four matches since coming back from a one-month injury lay-off. Pellegrini accepted that, however many trophies City win this season, the form and fitness of Aguero will be pivotal.

“It wasn’t easy for Sergio to come back from his injury,” said Pellegrini. “That’s why I said it was not the idea to give him 90 minutes but we needed him the whole match and he played without a problem.

“He makes the difference. In two or three matches he will continue improving because it’s always difficult to come back from a calf injury. He’s a very young player who has a lot of things to improve. He has the quality to be among the best players but that depends on what he wants to reach in his career.”

For Watford, there was plenty of credit — but no place in the fifth round — and a lot of sympathy for stand-in keeper Bond who had done well until his late error.

“He’s fine. He can get over it. He is a good lad,” said midfielder Seán Murray. “He is an experienced keeper and has played a lot of games in the Championship. I’m sure he’ll get over it and he’ll be ready for the next game he’s involved in.”

MAN CITY (4-4-2): Pantilimon 5; Richards 4 (Zabaleta 45, 8), Demichelis 6, Lescott 5, Kolarov 7; Navas 8, Toure 5, Rodwell 4 (Kompany 45, 8), Lopes 5 (Jovetic 58, 6); Aguero 9, Dzeko 7.

Subs not used: Hart, Nastasic, Clichy, Fernandinho.

WATFORD (5-4-1): Bond 6; Faraoni 8 (Fabbrini 84), Doyley 7, Ekstrand 6, Angella 6, Pudil 7; Forestieri 8 (Cassetti 59, 6), Battocchio 7, Murray 7 (Abdi 74), Anya 8; Deeney 9.

Subs not used: Almunia, Ranegie, Hoban, O’Nien.

Referee: K Friend 7.