Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Pep Guardiola 'surprised' Raheem Sterling is Man City's top goalscorer

MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola has admitted he is surprised that Raheem Sterling is Manchester City's leading goalscorer so far this season.

The England international has equalled his best ever tally for a campaign with 11 goals from his 17 appearances this season -- one more than City strikers Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.

Sterling has often been criticised for his finishing in the past but is averaging a goal every 89 minutes this season following his winner in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League.

Guardiola told a news conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Huddersfield Town that he is delighted by Sterling's contribution and that they can't rely on their strikers to score all the goals.

Asked if he was surprised that Sterling was his top scorer: "Yes -- but it's good. Sergio and Gabriel didn't play all the games -- normally both are better -- but it's good.

"'It's good for the players to know how important it is to know they won the game because they score the goal like for example against Feyenoord.

"We have a lot of players who have the ability to score a goal, not just the strikers. It's so important because you cannot win the title with just one or two players scoring goals. Kevin [De Bruyne], Nico [Otamendi], have scored so it's important."

Guardiola is without John Stones and Benjamin Mendy for the trip to the John Smith's Stadium but has everyone else available.

Otamendi is back from suspension and captain Vincent Kompany came through his return at Leicester City -- after two-and-a-half months out through injury -- last weekend without any problems.

City's title rivals Manchester United were surprisingly beaten at Huddersfield in October with Jose Mourinho saying that the Terriers "wanted it more."

Guardiola says they must match Huddersfield's desire and knows how dangerous they can be after drawing 0-0 there last season in the FA Cup.

"We want to play in the best way and the best attitude," the City boss added. "But all the managers try to do it.

"The big names in the big clubs -- sometimes you think it's easier. But I think we know exactly what [it will be like at] Huddersfield, we were there last season and I think that helps us.

"But at the end it's the game. Sometimes we have to accept the opponent is better. For instance when you play against Napoli -- they played an amazing 30 minutes and you have to accept it and say they played better than us in that period of the game.

"We cannot forget we play against others who were good as well."

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