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Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players are making “more effort than ever” in a bid to arrest their remarkable slump.
The four-time defending Premier League champions have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions and go into Christmas in seventh place, nine points behind leaders Liverpool having also played two games more.
City were poor at Aston Villa on Saturday, losing 2-1 and giving a lethargic performance.
But Guardiola says their recent woes are not due to a lack of commitment.
PEP 💬 It is about many little details or some big details that make us not as good as we were. But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day. We have players coming back and at a certain time, we will be better. pic.twitter.com/BCoBfTZuSK
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 24, 2024
Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Everton, he said: “The guys are running and making effort more than ever. It’s many little details or big details that altogether make [us] not as good as we were.
“But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day to try and win time for the players to come back, and in certain time we’ll be better.”
No Stones against Everton
City have not been helped by a lengthy injury list which now includes John Stones following his half-time withdrawal at Villa Park.
Stones misses out on the chance to face his former club, who are slowly moving in the right direction due to a defensive improvement that has seen them keep clean sheets in seven of their last 10 games.
Everton have not beaten City since 2017 but Guardiola is wary of Sean Dyche’s men.
“In this situation, there is not a perfect opponent,” he added.
“It is about us to come back to our best. It will take time. We have to get results as quickly as possible. We are facing Everton and they are in a good moment, their results and performances show it.”