Raheem Sterling scored his first Manchester City goal as the Sky Blues maintained their 100% start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Watford at the Etihad this afternoon.

The £49m man opened his account early after the break, before Fernandinho added another to ensure that the hosts - who have now scored 10 and conceded none - extended their roaring start to the season.

As a result, Manuel Pellegrini's side move eight points clear of Premier League champions Chelsea, who went down 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Having struggled to create anything for the first 20 minutes, City began to threaten and right-back Bacary Sagna forced Heurelho Gomes into a smart save midway through a labourous half for the hosts.

Sterling gradually came to life and almost opened the scoring, but his curling effort was again saved by Gomes as the Hornets survived.

They came closer as the minutes ticked on, and the usually-reliable Sergio Aguero missed the chance to secure a half-time lead.

The Argentine was millimetres from breaking the deadlock on 40 minutes when his drive skimmed off the post in what proved the last attempt of a frustrating half for Pellegrini and co.

Nevertheless, they put that lacklustre first-half display behind them and opened the scoring within two minutes of the restart when Sterling tapped home Sagna's low cross.

Ten minutes later it was two when Fernandinho exchanged a slick one-two with David Silva before powering home across Gomes for a second as City looked in cruise control.

Watford almost reduced the arrears on 67 minutes when Ikechi Anya's effort deflected off Sagna and skimmed just wide in what proved to be their first and only chance as City march on.