Monday 25 September 2017 00:02, UK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists there are still many ways that his team can improve.
City have been in irresistible form in recent weeks, thrashing Liverpool, Watford and Crystal Palace in their last three Premier League games.
They scored 16 goals in those matches without conceding. City also beat Feyenoord 4-0 in the Champions League and knocked West Brom out of the Carabao Cup.
Guardiola is pleased with their form but was clearly frustrated by the lack of goals in the first 44 minutes against Palace. He wants goals and more goals from his attacking players.
"It is the best way to respect the opponent and the fans, everything," he said. "We play to do it as much as possible.
"People expected before we arrived (on Saturday) it would be easy, but you know how complicated it was in the first half.
"It's good but the way we play we can improve in many, many things and concepts."
The key to retaining sharpness up front could be in the fierce competition for places that now exists among City's front runners.
Gabriel Jesus was the man to sit out at the weekend while Leroy Sane was handed only his second league start of the campaign.
The German scored the opener and created two others for another player who is having to get used to rotation, Raheem Sterling.
Sergio Aguero was among the substitutes for last month's trip to Bournemouth and summer signing Bernardo Silva has so far been used sparingly.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have been regulars but even they are well aware of the need to stay on top of their games.
"They know that," Guardiola added. "It is not necessary to tell them. They feel it. They feel the team-mate alongside them, they say 'Wow'. It is good.
"That is the best way. You cannot play the same players (every) three days for 11 months. We need the next guys, they have to play good. If you want to win they have to have the best performance. Every player has to push the other one."
City rejected an Arsenal enquiry for Sterling prior to last month's transfer deadline and Guardiola remains equally dismissive following fresh reports of interest from the Gunners..
"There is no question of that," he said. "He is not going to move. He is going to stay here."
