Thursday 28 December 2017 06:39, UK
Pep Guardiola admits he prefers opponents "to play" after Manchester City secured a 1-0 win at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Raheem Sterling's first-half strike was enough to hand City their 18th straight win in the Premier League, extending their lead at the top to 15 points.
City dominated for large parts of the match, recording 21 shots to Newcastle six, while also enjoying 78 per cent of possession.
Opposing manager Rafael Benitez was forced to defend Newcastle's approach to the game at St James' Park, and while Guardiola said he would prefer other teams to attack, he conceded his outlook on defending is not one shared by many others in the game.
"I would like the opponent to play, for football itself and for the spectator, for everybody. But every manager can decide whatever he wants," Guardiola told Sky Sports after the match.
"You have to find and search for a way to attack them when they defend with 11 players in the box, when a striker goes with our holding midfielder, and there are nine or 10 players there waiting for a throw-in or free-kick or corner.
"I cannot judge them. But I think attacking in that situation would create enough chances to score a lot of goals.
"It's always a belief that the best way to defend is far, far away from your goal. Most people think completely different, but that's why football is magnificent.
"When the ball is close to our goal, we are in danger. The last minute, for example, the ball was in our half, but when they are defending in their own goal, it's easier for us.
"We are happy with a lot of clean sheets. We have started the second round [of the season], 18 games left, we're going to see how many games we need to be champions."
Newcastle's improved showing after the break made for a nervy finish, with Dwight Gayle sending a header narrowly wide for the hosts after City failed to pull further ahead.
Guardiola said that while such hairy moments are to be expected, he feels his City side created enough chances to be home and dry before half-time.
"We deserved to win by far. It's not easy when the opponent doesn't want to play. They defended well, and deep. It's not easy when this happens," Guardiola added.
"We created enough chances in both halves, we were involved the Newcastle rhythm and that's why it was a little more complicated.
"We created chances. At half-time it could have been three or four, or 4-1, because Kyle [Walker] is slipping.
"But it's okay. When you have won 18 games in a row, you have to live 10 to 15 minutes in that way. But we are so happy."
