Pep Guardiola has professed his satisfaction after Manchester City came through as comfortable winners against Newcastle United - but acknolwedged that there is no plain sailing this term as he chases a top-four berth.
Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres handed the Blues a relatively routine result against Steve Bruce's Magpies to deliver a late Boxing Day present of three points at the Etihad Stadium, in miserable conditions crafted by Storm Bella.
The result delivered back-to-back top-flight wins for only the second time this season for City, who - so used to starting their campaigns with an imperious run of results - have only just found their footing after a surprisingly difficult opening stretch.