Football
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Manchester City performance in win against Napoli pleases Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was pleased with the character shown by his players, who rallied from behind for a 4-2 knockouts-clinching victory at Napoli in Champions League group play on Wednesday.

City trailed 1-0 to a Lorenzo Insigne strike after 21 minutes following a sluggish start. But headers from defenders Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, who also hit the crossbar, put City ahead before Napoli replied with a Jorginho penalty.

Sergio Aguero put City back ahead in the 69th minute with his club-record 178th goal at the intimidating San Paolo Stadium. Raheem Sterling then put the seal on the success -- a club record 14th straight win -- in stoppage time.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola said: "In this level we cannot control 90 minutes. We are going to suffer a bit. The point is how we react.

"We did it twice, after 1-0 and 2-2, and that's why I'm so pleased. When everything is going well it's easy, even you and I can play. The point is how you react in bad moments and we did it really well.

"We knew how tough it was going to be. I love Napoli and we suffered a lot in the first 20 minutes.

"I think I got very many answers. In two weeks we won [twice] against a top side.

"I am very pleased with the players, especially with the personality, and it was a great win for us.''

City have won all four of their games in Group F but Napoli, the Serie A leaders, are in danger of missing out on the knockout stages after claiming just three points.

Coach Maurizio Sarri said: "Overall, I am very happy with the team. I thought we were really brave tonight and we tried everything.

"We had to try to win and I prefer that, even if we had to take risks.

"I don't think we were too far away but we must not forget we played one of the best teams in Europe.

"I am very happy with the way we played technically, tactically and physically.''

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