Joe Bray

Bravery, a noisy crowd and 'real hard graft' is still required to beat Manchester City these days, even when they can't buy a win.

Manchester City will welcome a new midfielder to their squad when the January transfer window opens as the Blues look at reinforcements.

Manchester City will go into their Boxing Day fixture vs Everton in the Premier League missing a number of key players.

Manchester City are on a terrible run of form, winning just one in their last 12 games, going into their clash with Everton on Boxing Day.

Pep Guardiola could only laugh as he was asked whether Sean Dyche's Everton were the perfect opponent for Manchester City to kick-start their dreadful form.

Manchester City owe a lot to Gareth Barry, but had to make a brutal decision about his future when he left on loan for Everton in 2013

Pep Guardiola only signed a new Manchester City contract one month ago but questions have been raised outside of the Etihad Stadium about his future given their terrible losing run.

Any other manager in world football might feel under pressure with a run of nine defeats in 12 and just one win in that period. Not Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola appears to have no problem playing the role of Scrooge this Christmas if it means Manchester City can turn their form around and salvage their Champions League qualification hopes - which he admits is at risk.

Manchester City face Everton on Boxing Day with Pep Guardiola sending a stern warning to his players about their Champions League qualification hopes as they face a top four battle.