Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City were lucky to have picked up three points against West Ham in a hard fought 2 – 1 win at the Etihad on Saturday.
City recorded a 20th successive victory across all competitions despite parading a few tired legs in the wake of a mid-week Champions League action.
Guardiola told BT Sport after after the game: “After 45 minutes today we realise we are not going to paint anything beautiful.
“Second half we were much better than the first half. When you play a lot of games, in the league and then the Champions League, this is normal.
“We were lucky to get all three points. The mathematics matter at the end of the season.”
Sergio Aguero returned to the City’s starting XI against the Hammers, but it was the centre-half duo Ruben Dias and John Stones scored both goals for the Blues.
Dias broke the deadlock at the Etihad after half-an-hour, as he headed home a pinpoint cross from Kevin De Bruyne.
Michail Antonio, however, restored parity before the interval as he bundled in from close range before Riyad Mahrez teed up Stones for a 68th-minute winner.
City’s will welcome Wolves on Tuesday for their next top-flight action before playing host to arch-rivals Manchester United on derby day next weekend.
