Manchester City

Manchester City fans look away now. Here is a list of the defending champions' recent results in all competitions, dating back to a 1-0 win at home to Southampton in October that put them top of the Premier League table.

Their form guide in that time reads - DLLLDWLDLLLLLW:

• 26 Dec: Man City 1-1 Everton - Premier League
• 21 Dec: Aston Villa 2-1 Man City - Premier League
• 15 Dec: Man City 1-2 Man Utd - Premier League
• 11 Dec: Juventus 2-0 Man City - Premier League
• 07 Dec: Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City - Premier League
• 04 Dec: Man City 3-0 Nottm Forest - Premier League
• 01 Dec: Liverpool 2-0 Man City - Premier League
• 26 Nov: Man City 3-3 Feyenoord - Champions League
• 23 Nov: Man City 0-4 Tottenham - Premier League
• 09 Nov: Brighton 2-1 Man City - Premier League
• 05 Nov: Sporting 4-1 Man City - Champions League
• 02 Nov: Bournemouth 2-1 Man City - Premier League
• 30 Oct: Tottenham 2-1 Man City - EFL Cup
• 26 Oct: Man City 1-0 Southampton - Premier League

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as Manchester City's crisis continued with a laboured Premier League draw against Everton at Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side, once all-conquering, are in unfamiliar territory amid a staggering fall-off, with just one win now in their past 13 games in all competitions.

City grabbed a deserved opener in the 14th minute as Bernardo Silva latched on to Jeremy Doku's pass and managed to bobble home a finish into the far corner courtesy of a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite.

But with their first clear-cut chance of the game, Everton drew level in the 36th minute through Iliman Ndiaye's marvellous strike, taking a touch from Abdoulaye Doucoure's cross and sending a delightful finish with the outside of his boot into the far corner.

City had the chance to regain the lead seven minutes into the second half when left-back Vitalii Mykolenko chopped down Savinho inside the area, but Pickford dived the right way to keep out Haaland's spot-kick.

Given Arne Slot's comments about the gap between Liverpool and Manchester City, we would normally bring you a tidy graphic showing the top six of the Premier League to highlight the point...

But such is City's fall from grace that they have now slipped out of the top six, down to seventh, following a quite remarkable run of just one win in their last nine league games.

Pep Guardiola's side, who have won the last four Premier League titles, are 14 points behind Liverpool, having played a game more than the league leaders...

Image source, Getty Images

As an experienced football fan, I never like to tempt fate by saying things like this, but is Joe right? Click thumbs up for yes, down for no.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he was "quite happy, in general" with their performance against Leicester City, despite some "sloppy defending" to give the visitors a goal start.

But the Dutchman added that he was taking nothing for granted, despite seeing his side move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

"We know how hard this league is," he said, using defending champions Manchester City as a cautionary tale.

"It was just two months ago that we were one point behind City. We know what this league can do if you get injuries or suspensions. This can happen to any team and, if that happens, then this league is too good to pick up points, so we have to stay on top of our game."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Anfield

Image source, Getty Images

Leaders Liverpool strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League after coming from behind to defeat struggling Leicester City and move seven points clear.

Leicester had lost five of their previous seven matches but stunned Anfield by taking the lead through Jordan Ayew's sharp sixth-minute finish.

Liverpool endured a frustrating half as Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah hit the post and crossbar respectively before Cody Gakpo levelled right on the stroke of half-time with a lovely curling finish from the edge of the box.

That lifted the hosts who took the lead for the first time just four minutes into the second half, Curtis Jones marking his 100th Premier League appearance by turning in Alexis Mac Allister's cross.

Leicester, who dropped into the relegation zone after Wolves' win over Manchester United earlier in the day, missed a golden opportunity to equalise when Patson Daka mis-kicked in front of goal before Mohamed Salah made sure of the points when he swept home the third goal - his 19th of the season.

As Gareth mentions, it doesn't get much easier for Manchester United in the Premier League over the next month or so:

• 30/12/24: Newcastle (h)
• 05/01/25: Liverpool (a)

• 16/01/25: Southampton (h)
• 19/01/25: Brighton (h)
• 26/01/25: Fulham (a)
• 01/02/25: Crystal Palace (h)

Image source, Getty Images

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Molineux

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the third time this season as Wolves continued their perfect start under new boss Vitor Pereira with victory over the Red Devils.

Fernandes was dismissed for a second yellow card two minutes into the second half, having already been sent off against Tottenham and Porto earlier in the campaign.

The hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage 11 minutes later when Matheus Cunha became the second player in three games to score directly from a corner against United.

Just as Son Heung-min did for Tottenham a week ago, Cunha found the net with a corner that sailed over Andre Onana's outstretched arm in a crowded six-yard box.

The points were sealed in the eighth minute of added time when, as United chased an equaliser, Wolves broke and Cunha squared the ball for Hwang Hee-chan to make it 2-0.

• Read Simon Stone's full match report

Let's start our round-up of Thursday's games at Molineux, where Wolves' Vitor Periera won the battle of the Portuguese managers as his side claimed a vital win at home to Ruben Amorim's Manchester United...

The future of Manchester United's England forward Marcus Rashford is another key talking point as we edge closer to the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old was missing from a fourth successive matchday squad as United fell to a 2-0 defeat at Wolves to sink to 14th place in the Premier League table.

Despite rumours suggesting United are willing to sell Rashford, manager Ruben Amorim said that he had an "opportunity" to work his way back into the reckoning at Old Trafford.

"If he's not here I think it is clear," said Amorim, after being asked if the door remained open for Rashford.

"[It's] always open. Every player has the opportunity to help the team, I just do what I think is best for the team."

Meanwhile, it is being reported that Unitedhave set an initial asking price of about £50m for Rashford. (Caughtoffside), external

Image source, Getty Images

It's less that a week now until the the January transfer window opens.

While league leaders Liverpool look well set in the title race, there is plenty going on behind the scenes as negotiations continue with Mohamed Salah and key defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

All three are out of contract in the summer and will be able to talk with overseas clubs from next month.

The latest reports suggest that Liverpool are confident their captain, Van Dijk, will sign a new two-year deal with the club. (Team talk), external

While Real Madrid, who have been linked with the 33-year-old Netherlands defender, are not interested in signing Van Dijk this summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external

• Read more in today's BBC Sport gossip column.

Stick with us for a round-up of the action and reaction to the Boxing Day games, as well as build-up to tonight's two Premier League fixtures - Brighton v Brentford (19:30 GMT) and Arsenal v Ipswich (20:15).

We will also have a handful of news conferences ahead of the next round of top-flight games, which take place on Sunday and Monday.

Merry Christmas from the BBC Sport football team.

There was certainly plenty of festive cheer at Anfield last night as Arne Slot's side, inspired by an in-form Mohamed Salah, came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 and open a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand of second-placed Chelsea.

Fulham's first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years saw Enzo Maresca's Blues slip back, while Nottingham Forest's stunning season continued with a 1-0 victory at home to stuttering Spurs, which saw Nuno Espirito Santo's side move back above Arsenal into third.

Newcastle's 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa propelled Eddie Howe's men up to fifth, moving above Bournemouth, who were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.

At the bottom, basement club Southampton slipped to a 14th defeat of the season at home to West Ham in Ivan Juric's first game in charge, while Wolves moved out of the bottom three with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United as new manager Vitor Pereira inspired them to back-to-back victories.

And improving Everton moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a point at faltering Manchester City, adding to recent draws against Arsenal and Chelsea.