The visitors were defensively resolute for the majority of the game, but Erling Haaland found the breakthrough after 71 minutes, lashing into the roof of the net after a loose ball in the box.
The striker doubled his tally with five minutes left to play, latching onto Kevin De Bruyne‘s pass to charge through on goal and calmly slot into the bottom corner.
Stones, who played the entire match and had 102 touches of the ball, was impressed with the team’s approach to the game and elated with a clean sheet.
“Definitely [hard fought]. We’ve had some tough games against Everton home and away. So to get three points in the fashion we did, clean sheet as well, was really pleasing,” he said.
“Especially after the first half which was so difficult for us to find spaces and chances. For the second half we tweaked a few things and ended up with the win.
“We’re used to playing against a low block. We’ve been in this position so many times now, patience is a massive thing for us, to keep moving the ball and to not get frustrated, and trusting in our game plan, which is what we do.
“We changed a few things which helped massively. We opened up the game and took our chances. We changed where the spaces were. It’s difficult when you’re involved in the game and focused, you don’t see the bigger picture from outside the pitch.
“He [Pep Guardiola] said to stick with the process and move the ball quicker, it’s simple things and the players who came on made a big impact too. Everyone is involved and playing a part in winning.
“Really pleased [with the clean sheet]. Our mentality never changes. Football is so difficult and there are so many different variables.
“Our mindset is always the same, we go into the game wanting a clean sheet. We work hard on the training pitch to get a clean sheet with how we set up and work for each other.
“Sometimes, football means we can’t stop certain things but today was one of the good ones. Hopefully we can keep that going.”
The defender has recently returned to full fitness after suffering an injury in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park last December.
The Englishman was pleased to make his return and is looking ahead to contributing to our winning record, which currently stands at 10 successive matches in all competitions.
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“Yeah, good [fitness]. I was disappointed to get injured. I’ve tried to come back as quick as possible, now I’m back, I’m really happy and hopefully I can go on a nice little run now.
“I think in previous seasons, around this period of the season, we cope so well as a team with all competitions, which is not easy. We take each game as it comes, we’ve got to win, each game is a final.
“The mentality of the boys is something you cannot coach, it’s just within you. We’re just one step closer to our goal, which is winning with a game in and looking forward to the next one and focusing all our energy into the next game.”
