The Pep Guardiola Man City message that should strike fear into Liverpool FC and Arsenal

When Michael Olise converted that last gasp penalty to earn Crystal Palace a scarcely believable draw at the Etihad, questions were being posed of Manchester City.

The draw left them fourth, only three off top spot but having played a game more than Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa. It also meant it was just one win in six Premier League games.

A month on, the Blues will travel to Newcastle United a place better off and five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. Pep Guardiola's men have reeled off five straight wins with four clean sheets in three different competitions without arguably their two best players in Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. And they collected one more trophy.

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City have seamlessly clicked into gear and De Bruyne, along with Jeremy Doku, have returned to action after injury. Haaland isn't far behind and John Stones could return this month too.

"What I want is to arrive in the second part of the season with everyone fit," said Guardiola after the FA Cup canter against Huddersfield. "I want Erling back, Kevin back, Jeremy and John. When they are back we have a team that can compete in different competitions until the end."

Guardiola sees the Newcastle clash as the conclusion of a brutal festive fixture list which was intensified by the Club World Cup success in Saudi Arabia. Once the trip to St James' Park is concluded, City will head to warmer climes for a training camp and to re-set.

You can bet your bottom dollar they will come back ready and raring to go to chase down a fourth