Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce found positives in their 4-3 defeat to Manchester City at St James' Park.

Bruce says in the end City's possession game proved too much.

He remarked afterwards, "Overall our attacking play was good on the counter-attack and we just weren't quite good enough on the night.

"The biggest compliment I can pay them is that it's difficult to set up against them. There are large periods where you don't get a kick because they're so good in possession."

On personal criticism this season, the manager added: "If you're going to do the job in the Premier League you come in for criticism, sometimes it's unjust. I always said when we had our players fit we'd be alright. I'm a football manager and I've been doing it a long time but I'm prepared to work away at it and grow an even thicker skin."