Pep Guardiola wants to see his Manchester City side take more of their chances after a narrow win over West Brom. Craig Burley dissects Man City's game-winning goal to demonstrate how they use a wide, balanced attack to score. Substitute Raheem Sterling's second-half goal ensured Man City won their ninth Premier League game of the season.
WEST BROMWICH -- Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that Manchester City could have the Premier League wrapped up by January following their 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion.
City maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a victory at the Hawthorns thanks to goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling.
His side have won all-but one of their opening 10 matches in the Premier League prompting suggestions from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that they could have the title sewn up quickly into the New Year.
"Did you see a champion in January? Me neither," Guardiola said when asked about Klopp's comments. "We want to try to win against Arsenal then of course we want to qualify for the Champions League knockout.
"Our mood is good. We believe we can score goals. We believe we will concede few."
Pep Guardiola sees room for improvement in his Manchester City team.
City dominated the game with 78 percent possession but were left holding on when Matt Phillips made it 3-2 in added time.
Guardiola believes that shows that his players still have a way to improve as they should have won the game much more comfortably.
"With one minute left, yes [ was nervous]. We were stable after 1-1, after 3-2 we were stable but of course anything can happen," he said.
"When they scored earlier, we suffered a lot but it is three points more -- 10 games, nine victories, one draw so it's a good start to the Premier League.
"Of course [we can improve] a lot. It's a game to win 5-1 or 6-1 and we won 3-2. There are always many things to get better."
West Brom Tony Pulis praised his side and believes his players caused City some problems. And he added that Manchester United and the rest of the big six are capable of overhauling City at the top of the Premier League.
"We knew they were going to create chances but it was just whether we could cause them problems, and we did today," he told a news conference.
"It's a long season and [City] are in all the cup competitions. They've got to be fortunate with injuries and the bounce of the ball.
"When winter comes, we saw what happened with Manchester United when they went to Huddersfield when it was windy and wet. There's lots of obstacles they've got to overcome -- it's not in the bag yet.
"There's a lot to play for and the team across the road will be thinking that. There are six teams that are outstanding -- you've only got to look at the results in Europe against top teams."
Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.
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Source: espn.co.uk