Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini was not happy with the way his players passed the ball despite their 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
A late winner from Fernandinho sent City up to second in the Premier League table after Villa had fought back from two goals down at the Etihad Stadium.
Pellegrini acknowledged that the visitors deserved credit for their performance, but denied that his team had been lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch.
"We played against a team that played very well," the Chilean said. "Maybe for our team it was one of our worst games of the season in possession. We lost so many balls during the game that it was very easy for Aston Villa to have possession of the ball.
"So many games we have 70, 75 percent of possession and we lost.
"I think today we didn't play so well but we have spirit to fight, to try to win -- you see this in the last five minutes [after Villa equalised]."
Asked whether his team were fortunate not to be penalised for an incident involving Villa's Christian Benteke and Joe Hart, Pellegrini said: "I think there was an offside. I think we have also two clear penalties in their box -- one for Aguero.
"I don't think so [that City were fortunate]."