Pep Guardiola - It is difficult to play when the other team doesn't want to play

ByTNT Sports

Updated 27/12/2017 at 22:47 GMT

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration with Newcastle's set-up against his side on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 27, 2017.

Image credit: Getty Images

City won 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to Raheem Sterling but one of the major talking points was Newcastle's defensive set-up with Rafa Benitez choosing to leave a lot of his attacking options on the bench.

City hit the woodwork three times in total -- twice from Sergio Aguero and once from Kevin De Bruyne -- and they nearly paid for their profligacy in front of goal when, in rare Newcastle attacks, Rolando Aarons had a first-half chip cleared off the line and Dwight Gayle headed wide late on.

City moved on to 58 points out of a possible 60, with their Manchester United neighbours on 43 points and Chelsea on 42.

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Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United shakes hands with Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on December 27, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

"We did absolutely everything but it is difficult to play when the other team doesn't want to play," Guardiola told BBC Sport in what sounded a harsh but fair assessment of Newcastle's early passivity after the game.

"In the last minutes we played in their rhythm and then it was not easy because it is not over at 1-0 - we created enough chances to win 2-0, 3-0, 4-0.

"Always you have to expect this kind of situation - and it is not always easy to maintain that level.

"Any manager can decide what he wants. I prefer to try to play but I respect a lot what opponents do and we have to try to discover how to attack against them."

Benitez was satisfied with his team's performance and made the point that they managed to hold City to just one goal which allowed them to push forward more in the last 20 minutes.

: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United gestures with Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on December 27, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

"We had some chances at the end, and we expected to have to defend and play counter attack. We needed to stay compact and defend well to play like that.

"In the last 20 minutes we did what was expected, being on top of them and expecting to press high. I am really pleased with the team in terms of organisation, but we discussed we could be better on ball in first half.

"We have to bring someone in to help the team but still have a lot of confidence in the team."

With additional reporting via Reuters.

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