Pep Guardiola said Manchester City were ‘lucky’ against Newcastle United on Sunday, despite his team’s 4-0 demolition of the Toonies at St James’ Park.
First-half goals from Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo were followed by second-half strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, which helped the Citizens secure all three points and break two English top-flight records in a single calendar year.
City remain at the top of the table, after scoring 11 goals without reply in their last two Premier League victories, however Guardiola believes that his side can perform at a higher level.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “Good result. Exceptional [result], in a not very good performance at all.
“We were lucky for the goal we scored at the beginning of the game. The second goal was a brilliant action from Joao, but the way we played in the first half was one of the poorest of the season.
“The first half was a dangerous position. The second half was much, much better. During the season this can happen. It’s normal. You can’t be brilliant all the time.”
“We more than deserved the victory but we know we can do better and better. In these types of games you might not be so brilliant, but the simple things we missed, not the complicated ones.
“To take a result is so important in this long season ahead of us,” he added.
Man City will sit at the summit of the Premier League table this Christmas, and will now focus on their Boxing Day clash at home against Leicester City.
