Rafael Benitez has praised Newcastle United for their performance in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Despite having just 22% possession in the St James' Park clash, the Magpies kept the Premier League runaway leaders at bay for most of the game, save for Raheem Sterling's 31st-minute goal.

Newcastle adopted more offensive tactics in the final 15 minutes and gave City some concerns, with substitute Dwight Gayle heading wide from Christian Atsu's cross late on.

"We knew it would be a difficult game and needed to work really hard to get something," Benitez told reporters. "We had some chances at the end, and we expected to have to defend and play counter attack. We needed to stay compact and defend well to play like that.

"In the last 20 minutes we did what was expected, being on top of them and expecting to press high. I am really pleased with the team in terms of organisation, but we discussed we could be better on the ball in first half.

"I am pleased with the reaction in the second half - we had two-three chances against a team that had a lot of possession. We have to bring someone in [in the transfer window] to help the team but still have a lot of confidence in the team."

Newcastle's fifth successive home defeat leaves them a point off the Premier League relegation zone.