Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has congratulated his players following the 5-3 win in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco.

The game at the Etihad had witnessed a fair number of twists and turns before the hosts scored three goals in the last twenty minutes to pick up a valuable result.

"It was a special game," the Spanish manager said.

"I cannot deny that. It had up and downs. We attacked quite good, although our build up was quite slow – but it was not easy because Monaco are so organised. Of course, we have to improve.

"A lot of things happened. Everything is open. "We played against incredible players, who were quick on the counter attack and in the midfield, and strong physically.

"We attacked in small spaces and we defended with huge spaces behind. That's why they wanted me to come here. Everybody has to be congratulated because if one team can score a thousand million goals, it's Monaco!

"If you are not able to control all the game, especially the counter attack, it's so rough. We have to improve – the first and second goals were mistakes.

"Today, the lesson is: we never gave up. In some moments we were lucky but we were unlucky in the first half."