Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City’s continued pursuit of goals against Watford was a sign of respect rather than an act of humiliating their opponents.

City thumped Watford 8-0 on Saturday – their first five goals coming inside the first 18 minutes.

Asked about the issue of ‘humiliating’ the Hornets in the second half, Guardiola said: “The best way to humiliate the players, not respect the players, is second-half (do) stupid things and play for themselves and make some fashion movements.

“That is the worst thing to do that and that’s why it didn’t happen. So at the end, we were respecting incredible the opponents, that’s why we play in that way because we respect the opponents with or without the ball what we have done.

“And of course, we play for the spectators who come here to watch the game. So I don’t have any doubts about that. I would not liked to have watched or to see my team in the second half play just how ‘Watford they are and it isn’t necessary to run much because we are winning 5-0’.”