MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's surprise run of three defeats in four games, the latest in Wednesday's (Dec 26) 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, has been widely attributed to one simple cause - the absence of defensive midfielder Fernandinho.
Yet, while the Brazilian's injury has clearly dented their Premier League title defence, given the absence of any effective replacement to shield their defence, City's woes run deeper than the loss of just one individual, however influential.
The defeats at Chelsea and Leicester and at home to Crystal Palace, with only a home win against Everton limiting the damage, have seen Pep Guardiola's champions fall from being clear favourites and leaders to third place.
They are now a point behind Spurs and seven behind top side Liverpool, who visit the Etihad on Jan 3.
Last season's record-breaking title win was built on remarkable consistency, in results of course but also in terms of the starting line-up and approach.
Yet while the inevitable injuries picked up through a season did little to knock City off course last term, this season Guardiola has had to deal with not just the recent loss of Fernandinho but also of several key players at the same time.
David Silva missed City's last five games before returning at Leicester and his importance to the team's trademark style was certainly highlighted in the recent losses.
For what Fernandinho provides in solidity, defensive protection and the ability to stop counter-attacks and opposition momentum, Silva matches as the essential link in the short, quick passing game which makes City so hard to defend against.
Silva not only provides goals and assists, but brings out the best in those around him, particularly wide players Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, who have both been out of sorts in recent performances.
Sane and Sterling know that when Silva has the ball, the Spaniard, with his supreme reading of angles and timing, will find them if they make a move.
Without Silva, they have too often received the ball when stationary, allowing defenders time to set up and nullify them instead of finding themselves on the back foot being attacked with momentum and impetus.
Kevin De Bruyne is another to have only recently returned from long-term injury and, while City initially coped with the absence of the Belgian central midfielder, they have missed his ability to swiftly turn defence into attack with a surging run or sweeping pass.
Much of the focus on City's improvement last season was placed on the full back positions but with Benjamin Mendy injured, Fabian Delph has, of late, rarely looked much more than an adequate replacement.
Worse, England defender Kyle Walker's form has been shaky and he paid the price for a poor performance in the 3-2 home defeat to Palace by losing his place at Leicester with Danilo preferred at right-back.
The defence is no longer as solid, the midfield has missed key elements and the forward line is not operating anywhere near full effectiveness.
"What we have to do is try and change the dynamic to winning games. We are able to do that but I have to reflect myself, think about what the team needs and try to help them," said Guardiola.
"That is what will concern me for the next few days. Good results are miracles for the mind and I have to help the players come back, change something and try to win again."
A trip to Southampton is next on Sunday and, with Spurs and Liverpool in full flow, City can ill-afford another stumble if they are to avoid a poor December becoming an irretrievable slump.
Hazard paid tribute to departing Chelsea teammate Fabregas (Action Images via Reuters) Hudson-Odoi is eager for further opportunities and knows he could be given them due to Chelsea's injury
Hazard's kind words for departing Fabregas - futaa.com
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LONDON • Manchester United have been on a roll since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment with 11 wins from 13 video games in all competitions, however Jurgen Klopp believes he has "the blueprint" to inflict their first Premier League loss below the caretaker boss tomorrow.
Blueprint to beat United - theworldnews.net
Alexandre Lacazette was sent off as Arsenal suffered a shock Europa League defeat to BATE Borisov in the first leg of their last-32 tie, with Stanislav Dragun's header separating the sides.
BATE Borisov 1-0 Arsenal REPORT: Lacazette sent off after
It's hard being Cristiano Ronaldo. He's won just about every individual honor, accolade and prize there is to win, as well as a fistful of league titles in England and Spain, more than a couple of
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Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. The first overseas Manchester derby was cancelled just hours before kick-off because of an unplayable surface at Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium following heavy rain.
Mauricio Pochettino says finishing in the Premier League's top 3 for a third successive season is a massive achievement having played 38 away games including at Wembley, but the club need to be
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham need bravery against Ajax
Ryan Giggs has responded to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's criticism of the "Class of 92" by insisting players with "over 2,000 games between us" are entitled to have an opinion.
Ryan Giggs hits back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Class of '92
Cincinnati Reds to add minor-league team in Appalachian League. The new team will be owned by the Reds, and will represent a step below fellow Rookie-Advanced squad Billings.
TEAM NEWS: Reds retain Kerevi, warned of Shark attack if
Football: Everton dish out 4-0 thrashing to awful Manchester
[BEIJING] Zhou Xiaochuan, China's longest-serving central bank governor, is tipped to become the new vice-chairman of the Boao Forum - known as Asia's Davos - after he retires next month, sources said. Mr Zhou, 70, will replace Zeng Peiyan, 79, in the post after Mr Zhou steps down as governor of the People's Bank
FAS Programmes TV, Calendrier, Résultats, Actualités, Équipe
Solari says every match is a test at Real Madrid. Santiago Solari was also interviewed prior to the Roma match and asked about the loss to Eibar. "All of the games are tests. Every day is a big
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