STOKE -- Pep Guardiola is surprised at just how quickly his Manchester City side have gelled after they maintained their 100 percent start to the season with a 4-1 victory at Stoke City.
Sergio Aguero and Nolito each scored twice as City picked up their second Premier League victory of the season at the bet365 Stadium.
After Tuesday's 5-0 victory at Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League playoff first leg, City have now scored 11 goals in their opening three fixtures and Guardiola is delighted with their creativity.
"It is impossible to say what is our target or what we can achieve but in the short time together and the way they have showed we play in the last two games, they show me how intelligent they are," he told a news conference.
"They are really good players. They have a lot of quality and that's why they can show it here in one of the toughest games in the Premier League -- at least that's what the people told me about that -- in the conditions when it is windy and the pitch is slow.
"It is impossible to come here for 90 minutes and control the game. After 2-1 we were stable again and we create a lot of 'almost chances.' My only regret today is that we missed the last pass, but we arrive there with options.
"But the rest we saw again amazing team spirit, how they communicate with each other how they celebrate the goals, how they celebrate after the game with our fans. That is the first step to improve. After that we have to improve many things. I am surprised in the short time the level they play in Bucharest and today."
City took the lead from the penalty spot after Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross grabbed Nicolas Otamendi at a corner. Referee Mike Dean then awarded a similar penalty for the home side after Raheem Sterling blocked off Shawcross.
Officials have been ordered to clampdown on grappling from set-pieces and Guardiola has warned his players that they must be wary.
"We have to be careful," he said. "I like to defend zonal marking, not man-to-man, just attack the ball. [It was] a little strange but I think Mark Hughes can say the same.
"Of course I was surprised -- it is what it is. The manager of Manchester City will speak few times about the referees. If I complain, the players think I am looking for an alibi."
Stoke boss Hughes understood the decision but does not expect the new regulations on pushing in the box to last longer than the opening weeks of the season.
"Unfortunately we had a penalty awarded against us at a key moment when I felt we were in the ascendancy and it knocked us sideways," he said.
"We know the directives. This time last year the penalty wouldn't have been given. This year we knows there's a danger that it might be.
"The only thing from my point of view is, let's hope that if that's what the directive is, every time Mike Dean referees, he referees in the same manner.
"In my experience there is usually a purge for three or four weeks and then everyone reverts to type. As long it's constant from this game to the end of the season then I haven't got a problem with it. But through experience I rather doubt that but we'll see. Obviously we benefitted from an award in the second half."
