Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on his players for their show of character against Burnley in a 2-1 win.
The Citizens were down to ten men in the 32nd minute of the match at the Etihad Stadium after midfielder Fernandinho was sent off for a double-footed challenge on Johan Gudmundsson.
However, the Guardiola's team managed to stay resolute and succeeded in finding the back of the net in the 58th minute via Gael Clichy.
A second was added later on by second-half substitute Sergio Aguero rendering the one goal the visitors managed in the 70th minute useless.
The Spanish manager took time to insist that his team's aim had always been to play attacking football, even when they were playing with ten men. The counter-attacking style of football suited them on the day and finally they succeeded in securing all three points.
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"When you play ten against eleven, sometimes you just defend but I wanted to make counter-attacks with KDB [Kevin De Bruyne], Raheem [Sterling] and Sergio and we did it", Guardiola told the press after the match.
"The players deserve credit and my respect.
"We are going to try to play better but we need the support. I love them."
Manchester City, who are placed third in the league at present, will play West Ham in the FA Cup on Friday.
