Man City centre-back myth busted amid Pep Guardiola's Ruben Dias dilemma

As Manchester City look to put the off-day against Tottenham behind them and look ahead to the next fixture at Everton, one major decision must be addressed by Pep Guardiola this week.

City's defeat to Spurs appears to have given the rest of the Premier League plenty of encouragement that there will be a different name on the trophy this season, just as most had given up on hopes of a competitive title race.

As City return to training ahead of the Everton trip, they must ensure that they bounce back and reaffirm their position as title favourites.

It won't be a straightforward task, with Everton something of an unpredictable opponent following Frank Lampard's appointment — and Goodison Park is never the easiest of venues for Guardiola.

A resolute defensive display will be needed after Harry Kane and Heung-min Son drew them all over the Etihad pitch on Saturday, so that might mean changes are required at the back.

Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte have been Guardiola's most-used centre-back pairing this season by some distance this season. They have started 21 of City's 37 games in all competitions.

However, Tottenham's ploy of letting Kane come deep and having Son run into the vacant space in behind him worked time and again for Spurs against City, just as it has done in previous meetings between the sides.

For the first time in a long time, Dias and Laporte looked far from the composed, world-class defenders they are. Meanwhile, John Stones was sat on the bench with a 100 per cent record of wins and clean sheets when starting in the Premier League this season.

It should be said that City have three brilliant centre-backs, all in good form this season. Unless Guardiola plays three at the back, or uses one out of