Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his side “competed amazingly” as they fought back from 1-0 down to win at Huddersfield on Sunday.
The league leaders equalled a club record – set in 2015 – by securing an 11th successive Premier League victory, despite falling behind through a Nicolas Otamendi own goal.
Sergio Aguero’s penalty early in the second half drew City level, and Raheem Sterling struck the winner with only six minutes to go.
“If you want to win the title you cannot expect easy games,” said Guardiola. “We have to live these kinds of situations and we spoke at half-time about how we are going to react.”
This was the first time City have come from behind at half-time to win a Premier League away match since April 1995.
Tempers frayed at the final whistle, with Huddersfield forward Rajiv van la Parra sent off following a clash with Leroy Sane.
Victory meant City re-established an eight-point lead over second-placed Manchester United. Since being held 1-1 by Everton on 21 August they have won 18 consecutive games in all competitions.
“We are going to lose,” said Guardiola. “That is going to happen – definitely. Today was so close – it’s going to happen.
“The 18 games in a row is amazing, and we have 11 in the Premier League in a row so that’s good. We have a good moment and with the spirit we can go further.”
Defeat – Huddersfield’s second at home in their first Premier League campaign – leaves the Terriers 11th in the table.
City’s total of 37 points after 13 games is a Premier League record – and the last time a team led the top flight by eight or more points at the same stage was in 1993-94. Then, Manchester United were 11 points clear and on course to win their second consecutive title.
Guardiola’s men arrived here with 40 goals from their 12 previous league matches, but they lacked their usual ruthlessness in front goal against resilient hosts.
