Rafa Benitez perplexed by no goal - and Stoke's tactics
RAFAEL BENITEZ was perplexed that his side were denied an early goal against Stoke on Saturday - but accepts they must improve to avoid similar slip-ups in the future.
City managed to do what champions Manchester United couldn't a week earlier, keeping a clean sheet and avoiding defeat to Liverpool as they held out for a 0-0 draw.
Benitez saw his forwards endure a particularly frustrating afternoon, missing some good chances but generally struggling to find a way past a stubborn and congested Stoke rearguard which featured former Liverpool man Salif Diao in a defensive midfield role.
And the Spaniard said: "I think everyone has his own idea and you have to accept the situation and try to be better.
"It was impossible to create clear chances with all the players inside the box, but at least we had chances and we were there.
"If Torres, Gerrard, Keane or Xabi had a bit more time or accuracy we could be talking about two or three goals.
"But in these games it's not a question of Fernando, Keane.
"It's difficult to have good chances with a lot of players around.
"So for a striker who's close to the box it's more difficult."
Torres's start to the season has been disrupted by a hamstring injury and he has scored only once in seven games this term.
"Physically he needs to improve but today it wasn't a physical problem," Benitez admitted.
"Every player, when they come back from a tournament one month later, will need more time.
"But today it was more difficult because he had less space.
"They were on top of him all the time so it's difficult to have space for control. You're under pressure all the time.
"We know we have to win these games and we need to get all three points. Hopefully it will be different in the next game like this."
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The whole shape of the game could have been changed if Steven Gerrard's free-kick had been allowed to stand after just 76 seconds.
Torres appeared to be flagged offside and, even though he didn't touch the ball, confirmed after the game that he was adjudged to have been in the eyeline of Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen when Gerrard's ball came in.
Replays suggested that the striker wasn't in an offside position in the first instance and Benitez said: "I don't want to use the goal as an excuse.
"We know it could be a massive difference but after 88 minutes attacking we know we have to score.
"But it was a key decision and we have to talk about this. Unbelievable. With the position of the referee how can you disallow this goal if it's not the linesman who's given it?
"Carra asked the ref said to him that he disallowed it and not the linesman.
"But from the position of the ref you cannot disallow it.
"I was watching the ref but I couldn't believe it.
"I'm watching the replay and the surprise is more than unbelievable. It's difficult to explain.
"But I want to be clear. I am not happy because we had a lot of attempts and plenty of possession and should have scored another goal."
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