The entertaining, goal-scoring feats of title-chasing Manchester City has wowed fans and impressed rivals this season, but midfielder James Milner craves a less cavalier approach.

Even without injured top scorer Sergio Aguero, City delivered a glut of goals in a 4-2 away win over Fulham on Saturday.

It has scored a league-best 51 goals in 17 matches, 35 coming at home, and is on course to better the record of 103 scored by Chelsea en route to winning the title in the 2009-10 season.

But City still sits only third in the standings as it struggles to field a settled defense.

The club weathered some early pressure on Saturday before taking a 2-0 lead, only for Fulham to pull even with 20 minutes remaining as City's defense, tied for fourth worst on the road, was again culpable.

But substitutes Jesus Navas and Milner put City back on top with late goals to leave it a point behind leader Liverpool.

England midfielder Milner said he could do without the roller- coaster ride.

"We'd like to have games that are a bit more boring if we can ... maybe a 1-0 or 2-0," Milner told British media on Monday.

"When you are up 2-0, you like to see out the job and we did that in the end.

"Hopefully we can get a few more clean sheets, which will be more important as the season goes on."

- Reuters

(China Daily 12/25/2013 page24)