Man City sent Premier League warning as Pep Guardiola opens up on form without Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri
Manchester City will hope to arrest their recent slump in form when they head to Luton Town on Sunday.
City are winless in four Premier League matches after losing 1-0 at Aston Villa on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's side did not register a single shot on goal after the 11th-minute and looked way off the pace, with results elsewhere seeing them drop into fourth.
The Blues must get back to winning ways when they go to Kenilworth Road but face a Luton side who have caused all of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham problems at home.
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Here are your Friday evening headlines.
Top-four warning
City's winless run was 'necessary', Guardiola says, as he launched a passionate appeal to his players to use their drop in form to buck their ideas up - or risk failing to qualify for the Champions League.
City have gone four games without a win in the Premier League for the first time since Guardiola's debut season at the Etihad, prompting the manager to admit his side were 'struggling' after being outplayed at Aston Villa this week.
After slipping to fourth, Guardiola recalled how he felt his side 'needed a shake' a month ago before their slump, in order for them to realise the extent of their previous achievements and to get themselves in a position to defend their titles this season.
"In those moments I’m positive, mentally I’m so strong," he began, explaining how he needed the wake-up call just as much as his players.
See what else Guardiola had to say here.
Poor form admission
Kevin De Bruyne has stepped up his recovery from injury in a boost