Man City aim to bounce back after first defeat
Manchester City plan to give Pep Guardiola a belated birthday present when the leaders try to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat in more than nine months against Newcastle on Saturday.
City boss Guardiola, who turned 47 on Thursday, watched as his side’s 30-game unbeaten league record was ended in a thrilling 4-3 defeat at Liverpool.
Guardiola himself has repeatedly urged caution, declaring before the Liverpool match that City could still lose the title.
“We lost against a fantastic Liverpool team. We have to be sure to win the next one and fight until the end to win the Premier League,” Guardiola said.
“We have to fight - especially in this league, with a lot of games in the last two months, with four competitions. Now we must analyse and be positive.
“People asked if everything was over and done before Christmas, and now it’s January and it’s not. We have a lot of games to win to be champions.”
BUSY WEEK LIFTS UNITED SPIRITS
Manchester United are in optimistic mood as they travel to Burnley having spent the week closing in on Alexis Sanchez, and with Jose Mourinho close to agreeing a new contract.
United’s chances of winning the league this season still look remote, but they have reduced City’s lead at the top to 12 points after beating Stoke 3-0.
Anthony Martial scored his second goal of 2018, and both he and Romelu Lukaku are showing signs of rediscovering a clinical touch after a difficult end to 2017.
TROUBLED ARSENAL FACE PALACE
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal’s turbulent January hasn’t affected his desire to remain in charge Arsenal beyond this season. Wenger’s side head into clash with Crystal Palace in crisis with their star forward Alexis Sanchez set to leave.
Since beating Palace in December, Arsenal have taken just two points from their three games to leave them eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
MANCHESTER: BURNLEY: LONDON: