Guardiola says the drop is not due to a lack of effort

Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players are putting in “more effort than ever” to halt 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 who have also played two games. another.

City were poor at Aston Villa on Saturday, losing 2-1 and putting in a lethargic performance.

But Guardiola says their recent woes are not due to a lack of commitment.

PEP 💬 It’s about many small 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 lads are running and pushing harder than ever. They are many small details or big details that completely make (us) not as good as we were.

“But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day to try to buy time for the players to come back, and at some point we will be better.”

No Stones against Everton

City have not been helped by a long 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 no perfect opponent,” he added.

“It’s about us getting back to our best. It will take time. We want to get results as quickly as possible. We are facing Everton and we are in a good moment, their results and performances show that.”