PEP Guardiola said referee Roger East had made the correct decision in awarding his side a penalty in their 3-0 win over Burnley.

Sergio Aguero equalled City's goalscoring record of 177 when he struck from the spot after Nick Pope was controversially adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva in the first half at the Etihad Stadium.

Late goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane secured City's club record-equalling 11th successive win and took them five points clear at the top of the Premier League but the penalty remained the main talking point.

City boss Guardiola said: "It's a penalty, I saw it. He touched - the goalkeeper - the right foot of Bernardo."

Guardiola said his never were never likely to run away with the game against the Clarets.

“Burnley have won in amazing stages this season,” he stated. “Their physicality is amazing. They are a group with a huge work ethic.

“If people come here thinking in 20 minutes, we will be winning 5-0, that is not going to happen.

“After [playing in] the Champions League [in midweek], it is so demanding. Champions League games are demanding mentally and physically.

“We created enough chances and defended their actions really well.We didn’t concede chances.

“Last season at 1-0, maybe we would have been more nervous with less control.

“At this moment, we don’t have that feeling but the players know we can lose. Every single minute in every game, we have to do what we have to do.

“Our confidence will increase and we can continue winning games.

“In the second half, we played so well in terms of control.

“We were stable, we created more chances and we scored in the right time. We are where we need to be. It’s three more points and we are happy.”

Aguero was playing his first match since breaking a rib in a car crash in Amsterdam three weeks ago.

His attempts to equal the City record have been on hold since he missed a penalty on his last appearance against Shakhtar Donetsk. He made no mistake on this occasion.

Guardiola said: "It was so important today to equal the record as soon as possible. He is going to break it and it will be something special.

"It is so important for him to be the top scorer in the whole history of the club. We are happy to have that moment with him."

City now have a cushion at the top after rivals Manchester United were surprisingly beaten at Huddersfield.

But Guardiola said: "In May, yes, it will be significant. In October, no."