‘Everyone would prefer for us to just bury the game’ – Scoring more is the next target for City

Teemu Pukki just could not quite reach a cross from Jamal Lewis during the first half at QPR Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)

There were nervy finishes to all three of the victories, beating Middlesbrough 1-0 at home before a 2-1 success at Reading in midweek and a 1-0 win at QPR on Saturday – thanks to another goal from in-form striker Teemu Pukki.

City deservedly won all three games, but should have enjoyed more comfortable winning margins and Lewis knows that will be the focus after an impressive upturn in Championship form.

'I'd love for us to score on the counter a few times, I'd love for us to put the game to bed and maybe that's something we've got to work on a little bit, to be clinical a bit more in front of goal,' the left-back said.

'But as a defender you love having clean sheets, there is a little bit of satisfaction, with last-ditch tackles and the crowd getting up, so it is good, but everyone would prefer for us to just bury the game and cool off.'

Summer signing Pukki scored in all three wins to take his tally for the season to six goals – and eight in 12 games for club and country.

'He's brilliant,' Lewis continued. 'You wouldn't think he's playing up front by himself because sometimes he gives you two options, he holds it well and he runs the channels.

'He's clinical, he's always in between the sticks to score the goals, really clinical, so it's really good to see that he's in form and scoring the goals for us.'

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The 20-year-old continues to impress as well, being named man of the match by Sky Sports after Saturday's televised game.

With his international manager – Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill – watching from the stands at Loftus Road, the full-back's development is showing few signs of slowing.

'Last season it was an honour to be put in but it's the Championship, so if you make a mistake you get punished,' he added. 'I made a few, in games I was making mistakes sometimes and you get punished because the standard of player is so good.

'I feel a lot more comfortable and able to go forward a little bit more and show people that I can get up and down and be solid for the team, and can contribute to the team a bit more instead of just coping, so it's been good.'