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.
Having missed Tottenham's dramatic semi-final victory over Ajax due to injury, a fit-again Harry Kane will be determined to make an impact when he returns to the side in Saturday's Champions
Football: Tottenham to make late call on Kane for Champions
"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager." Mourinho took charge of United in the summer of 2016 following the departure of Louis van Gaal, winning the Europa League and EFL Cup in his first season.
Jose Mourinho Sacked by Manchester United, Club to Appoint
May 20, 2019 · Celebrations culminated with an emotional speech from outgoing captain Vincent Kompany, who hailed City as 'the best club in the world' before leaving to become player-manager at Belgian team
'I have lived the dream': Kompany's best moments at
LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success. Klopp's side sit four points clear at the top as they chase Liverpool's first English title since 1990. But the Liverpool boss does not want this season's potential title triumph to be a one-off.
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play. Should second place Atletico Madrid lose at Valencia on Wednesday or against Real Valladolid on Saturday, Barcelona will be champions before they face Levante that evening.
football; Manchester United decided to cut ties with Jose Mourinho. After two-and-a-half-years in charge, Jose Mourinho has been given his marching orders and he's only got himself to blame.
Manchester United sack Mourinho - global.espn.com
Messi claims record fifth Golden Shoe award - The Kashmir Monitor
ZAGREB (REUTERS) - Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric
Soccer: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan
Football News -LONDON • With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact in Arsenal's bid to climb back
Football: Improved Denis Suarez ready to make impact, say
Dec 22, 2018 · Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win over West Ham and raise Europe hopes sign up and get our daily football email. West Ham worked up a storm early in the second half but precision still
Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win at West Ham | Reuters.com
By G9ija Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas is reportedly planning to announce his retirement from football following his recent heart attack scare. The 37-year-old World Cup winner intends to call time on his career at the end of the season as he does not want to feed uncertainty about his future, according to Portugese outlet O…
'Too early' to know if Casillas will play after heart attack
London: Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala's family grieved on Friday after British authorities formally identified his body as the one recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the English Channel more than two weeks ago.
Family mourns Sala after footballer's body identified
"What keeps happening with Bale is a real shame. I like him a lot as a player but he is nowhere near being the leader of the team after Cristiano Ronaldo left," Mijatovic told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. "It's worrying that he gets injured so often."
Bale 'nowhere near' being Madrid's leader, says Mijatovic
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence - usatoday.com
Football: Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after
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