Manchester City remain stuck in their worst run of form since Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club in 2016.
Despite a morale-boosting 3-0 midweek home Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, City are well below Guardiola’s lofty standards, across all competitions.
Victory over Forest was a brief break from an overall malaise, as it stands as the defending EPL champions sole win in nine matches, split across European and domestic action.
Guardiola’s charges were forced to battle back to secure a late 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace this weekend, with Rico Lewis sent off in the closing stages, and the City boss engaging in a bizarre post game rant over the decision.
City currently trail league leaders Liverpool by eight points in the overall Premier League rankings and they will need to produce something spectacular to retain their domestic crown this season.
Guardiola has been visibly frustrated by the ongoing situation with the Catalan coach offering a reminder to Liverpool fans of the six titles he has won in City’s recent loss at Anfield.
Injuries have also impacted Guardiola’s options with midfield lynchpin – and Ballon d’Or winner – Rodri ruled out for the season, alongside a host of other absent stars.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva called for calm after the draw at Palace, with the Portuguese international not giving up on a title charge, but he claims the injury list needs to reduce for that to happen in 2025.
“With Man City it’s always two points lost. One point is better than zero, but we’re not happy at the moment. We know our situation with injuries,” as per quotes from BBC Sport.
“We know how tough it is to come here with all our squad and we’re in top form. We’re in December. We’d like to be in a different position.
“If we recover our players quickly we can always do it. But right now our concern is different. If we’re fourth or fifth we have to look at winning the next game. The last month and a half has not been good enough.”
Up next for Silva and City is a UEFA Champions League trip to Juventus on December 11 followed by a huge Premier League home derby with Manchester United four days later.
