Stoke City chief Peter Coates has stated that Manchester City punished his side for the mistakes they committed on Saturday.

City suffered a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and following the humbling loss, Coates has stated that his side were left counting the cost for the mistakes they made throughout the game.

Coates said of the defeat: "Manchester City's was as good an attacking performance as I've seen in a long, long time. I was searching to see when I had seen better and couldn't come up with anything since the great Real Madrid side of di Stefano, Puskas and the like.

"Manchester City were that good, but I also have to agree that we made our own mistakes and also contributed to that result.

"Every time we made a mistake, and we made several, they scored. It's the fourth game they have won by at least a five-goal margin and so I am asking for a bit of perspective because they are pretty good.

"Everybody is saying what a fine season Watford are having and they are currently fourth in the table, but didn't they lose by six at home to Manchester City?"