Image source, PA Media

Although Manchester City haven't had a great record against the top five this season, since losing 1-0 at Aston Villa in early December they haven't lost in 14 league games - winning 10 of them.

That night Villa were superior throughout, with Leon Bailey's deflected shot on 74 minutes giving them a fully deserved victory. It temporarily moved them above City into third place, as the defending champions again missed the influence of suspended midfielder Rodri.

Villa were fearless going forward, running City ragged at times, and finished the game with 22 shots, seven of them on target. City had just two shots - both on target - despite having 54% of possession.

Now then, that record against the top five we speak of... here's how Manchester City have fared against them in the Premier League this season:

• Liverpool - 1-1 home and away
• Arsenal - 0-1 away, 0-0 home
• Aston Villa - 0-1 away
• Tottenham - 3-3 home

City host Villa on Wednesday and the date is yet to be confirmed for their trip to Tottenham, where the Blues did manage to eke out a 1-0 win in the FA Cup.

Image source, Reuters

Hard to believe that, firstly, Manchester City have not beaten a top-five team in the Premier League this season. Also hard to believe that given that record, they're still in the title race with nine games left.

But after being held by Arsenal on Sunday, which leaves City three points behind the new leaders Liverpool, surely the defending champions need to end that run at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday in order to remain in the hunt?

Is it a must-win game for City? Hit those thumbs people.

Nigel Rothband, Fan writer

Manchester City versus Arsenal was billed as 'the game of the season' but, in the end, the top two teams simply cancelled each other out.

While a draw suited Arsenal more than City, I was disappointed with the Gunners. They showed a lack of ambition, were time-wasting from early on, and were involved in a significant amount of cynical fouling that went unpunished.

City were not at their best, and it is always difficult to break down teams that play with a back five. As a result, the Blues only managed to create one clear chance in the 90 minutes.

It is amazing to think City have not beaten a top-five team this season. Having said that, they are still only three points off the league leaders with nine games to play.

A fourth successive league title is still possible. City's fixture list, as it has been for the past three seasons, is frightening. We have reached at least the semi-finals in both the FA Cup and Champions League for three years on the trot, with a fourth beckoning.

Injuries have limited squad rotation this season and I expect we will see more of Julian Alvarez, Oscar Bobb, Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol over the next few vital weeks.

Nigel Rothband can be found at The Man City Show podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

The New York Times' chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's high praise for Brighton counterpart Roberto de Zerbi is because "he is a coaches' coach".

Klopp said De Zerbi did an "incredible job" of taking the game to the Reds during Albion's 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday and and he "could not respect him more".

This has fuelled speculation that the Seagulls boss could be in line to succeed Klopp this summer, after Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the running for the job.

"He has a lot of tremendous qualities and his teams are a joy to watch," said Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "You get the sense that he is a coaches' coach - a lot like Jurgen Klopp.

"Managers who have a distinct way of playing football look at him and his teams and think: 'That is an interesting idea.' When you have managed as many games as Klopp it must be rare to see something you have not seen before.

"De Zerbi has done that quite a lot and that is why managers really admire him."

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Chris asked: All the talk at the moment (quite rightly!) is about the most exciting title run in for years. However, my question is about the bottom of the league. Who do you think joins Sheffield United and (probably) Burnley in the Championship next season? Do you think Luton have enough fight to stay up or can they and Nottingham Forest do everyone a favour and get something against Everton and send them down?

Phil answered: I think Luton have actually been playing better than Everton and Forest for some time now but they seem to have a problem getting games over the line - leading then losing.

My current belief is that Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley will go down but then we have the unknown of points deductions imposed on Forest, which they are appealing against, and Everton – who may yet have more points deducted for another alleged breach of financial regulations.

Out of the three I have mentioned, I think Luton could be the team that could defy that prediction but they simply have to find a way to win games in a way that is currently escaping them, even when they have the lead.

Think you know your Premier League players?

Well, how about a quiz to keep your mind ticking over lunch?

Click here and see if you can name this current or former footballer from the clues we've given you.

If you don't get it right first time, just press play again to have another go. And if you really can't get the answer, then go to the link at the bottom to find out who it is.

Scott McCarthy, fan writer

Alexis Mac Allister - a great footballer and a class act.

Come full-time of Brighton's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool, he was straight over to the Anfield Road stand to acknowledge the Albion support. It was a lesson in dignity and of how to leave a football club with your reputation still intact.

The difference between Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez goading the away end at Stamford Bridge back in December, before scuttling away after being confronted by Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke, was day and night.

If you respect Brighton as a club, the Albion fans will remember you and your achievements fondly. Something for Roberto de Zerbi to consider, perhaps?

Leading up to the Liverpool game, De Zerbi again questioned whether Tony Bloom's ambition matches his own. He also revealed that talks on a new contract have stalled because of it.

De Zerbi later added that nothing could take away the history the club made last season and his connection with supporters. The first part of that statement might be true, but he could be in for a rude awakening with the second.

Bloom has sunk half a billion pounds of his own money into turning Brighton from League One strugglers to Europa League participants.

Question him, pit yourself against him, and there is only going to be one winner in that popularity contest in the eyes of most Albion fans.

Gus Poyet found that out. His reign with Brighton is remembered as much for the acrimony in which it ended as the swashbuckling dominance of his League One champions.

Some Brighton supporters are already tiring of De Zerbi’s public griping of Bloom, his ambition and transfers. Some would even be happy to see him leave in favour of someone more appreciative of what they have at Brighton.

Whether De Zerbi stays or goes, he is in danger of tarnishing his legacy at the Albion. He deserves to depart as a Brighton great for what he has done, like Mac Allister.

Please don't ruin it, Roberto.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

This should be a decent game. Brighton did well against Liverpool on Sunday but, if anything, they scored too early at Anfield, and I never really thought they would hang on.

Brentford were excellent against Manchester United and it seems strange they are on such a poor run, with only one win from their past 10 games.

I am going to back the Bees to put that right here and pull away from the relegation zone, because they are definitely too good to go down.

Ivan Toney was very good against United and unlucky not to score, and the goals are going to start flowing for him again soon.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1.

Jimmy's prediction: I like watching Brighton but I think Brentford will win. 2-1.

Read the rest of their predictions here.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Roberto de Zerbi's comments about not deciding on his future yet is "not the right way" to keep fans on side.

The Brighton boss, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Bayern Munich, told Sky Sports: "I have the contract, but I want to speak with [owner] Tony Bloom and my club to understand their plan. Then we'll take the decision together."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "If you are a Brighton fan then you look at some of the things he is saying and thinking he looks pretty desperate to get out.

"He is ambitious and he is probably thinking: 'We did well last season and we tried our best in Europe, but we sell our best players every year.'

"He is thinking about getting out while it is going good. We all understand that.

"I am not sure he is gone about it in the right way, though. He may as well hold a sign above his head that says: 'Come and get me!'"

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Roy Keane said that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was "almost like a League Two player" after Sunday's 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

But speaking on this week's Monday Night Club, Chris Sutton defended the 23-year-old Norwegian. He is the Premier League's leading scorer with 18 goals from 23 starts, although he's scored only four in his last 11 league games.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is on a three-man shortlist to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, Adidas

Adidas has banned football fans from buying German football kits customised with the number 44, after media raised their resemblance to the symbol used by World War Two-era Nazi SS units.

"We will block personalisation of the jerseys," an Adidas spokesman said.

SS units were the most responsible for the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis.

The newly released kit has also caused controversy with its choice of pink for the away colours.

The symbolism issue was first raised by historian Michael König, who said the design of the kits was "very questionable".

The SS rune was designed in 1929 for use by the Nazi units. Members of the SS ranged from Gestapo agents to concentration camp guards. SS duties included administering death camps where millions of Jews and others were put to death.

Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen denied that the kit's resemblance to the Nazi symbols was intentional.

"We as a company are committed to opposing xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and hatred in every form," he said.

Adidas separately told the BBC that the German Football Association (DFB) and its partners had designed the numbers on the shirts.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle are braced for bids from Arsenal and Tottenham, potentially worth £100m, for striker Alexander Isak. (Sun), external

Isak has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season.

BBC Sport has a dedicated Newcastle page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

Noel Fitzpatrick: Why would Ramsdale, second fiddle to Raya at Arsenal, move to Newcastle, to be second fiddle to Pope?

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United will reignite their interest in Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer, as they target a younger goalkeeper. (Mail), external

Ramsdale lost his place as Arsenal's number one in the summer with Brentford loanee David Raya preferred by Mikel Arteta.

The England international has featured just six times in the Premier League in 2023-24.

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column