Enzo Maresca said his pre-match prediction that Sunderland would provide Man City's toughest test of the season so far was vindicated after the two teams played out an eight-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium.
Sunderland produced a number of quality chances throughout the game but were punished for some poor defensive lapses and by some exceptional finishing from the hosts. Maresca criticised the defending of his side in certain situations but said he was happy with many aspects of the performance.
"To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3," Maresca said.
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"But again, I expected a very difficult game because I knew how good they are. Off the ball, very aggressive. On the ball, they have different weapons, set pieces, Brobbey. So I know that it was a difficult game but again, happy because we found a way to win the game. The good thing also is that these seven official games that we played, they have been all different. We experienced different things. The last one with ten players, today, you know, was a complicated one.
"I'm always concerned and I'm always trying to see what we can do better," he added.
"For sure, two of the three goals that we conceded, they have been too easy. The second goal came from Xhaka, a quick free kick and that cannot happen. The third goal, again, came from another free kick. So too easy in that way. But yeah, we conceded probably more chances. But we also, I think we created, we scored five but we could have scored probably two or three more."
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Maresca said he felt his side could have controlled the contest better at times but praised Sunderland for their performance in the game.
"For sure you can control better, keeping the ball, no doubt but again, there are games that you want to control the game or you want to keep the ball, but there is also another team that they do their best," Maresca said.
"Again, I'm sure that you watched Sunderland and Arsenal last week, but it was another crazy game. It's difficult.
Sometimes you want to control the game, but there is also another team that they do their best because they don't want to allow us to control the game. But again, there are things that for sure we have done good and we can do better."
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Manchester City boss delivered this verdict on Sunderland win after major Black Cats compliment
Manchester City boss delivered this verdict on Sunderland win after major Black Cats compliment