Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his side deserved to take all three points against Sunderland.
The Citizens needed a late Paddy McNair own goal to kick off their Premier League campaign with a win.
But the Spaniard believes today's game will help his players to perform better in next week's Champions League qualifying play-off against Steaua Bucharest.
"We definitely deserved the victory," he told BT Sport.
"The first games are always difficult. We spoke during this week about what we had to do like a team and we did it. Sometimes, you are little lucky.
"We should have been a bit more aggressive but these kind of things have to happen to know how to get better in the next game.
"John Stones, Nolito, they were all amazing.
"We are a team. We fight like a team and they did it. For the new manager, new players, it's important to believe in what we are doing.
"Of course, [Joe Hart will fight for his place]. They are professionals and are going to fight for their place."
