This Manchester City team have scored 11 goals without conceding in their past two matches, but manager Pep Guardiola was not happy with his side.
The Blues wiped out Liverpool's big goal difference advantage by winning 4-0 at Newcastle after smashing Leeds 7-0 in midweek, but Guardiola was not full of the joys of Christmas afterwards.
City overturned a 39-year-old Liverpool record, the win racking up their 34th win of the calendar year, but Guardiola was looking at performance rather than result.
"It was a good result, an exceptional result, and a very not good performance at all, especially in the first half, when we were lucky." he said.
"The goal we scored ( Dias ), the defenders misunderstood it. and the second goal the action from Joao (Cancelo) was brilliant, it belongs to him.
"But the way we played in the first half was one of the poorest of the season. but it made me happy how we weren't distracted for the points. I realised the margin — we have to be a better team. every player played not completely focussed and the second half was much better."
But Guardiola wasn't overly worried that the recent brilliant form took a dip in that opening 45 minutes, when Newcastle were denied a clear penalty as well as City getting fortunate for Ruben Dias' early headed goal.
He said the flat display was just one of those things.
"It happens, during the season it happens for a short time, it's normal, " he added.
"You can't be brilliant all the time. we deserved the victory, but we know we can do better and better. Of course, in these games when you aren't brilliant or consistent, for the simple things, you take a result.
"It is so important in a long season like we have ahead of us."
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