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Manchester City's recent victory against Everton at Goodison Park came with a mix of emotions. The defending Premier League champions turned the game around with a thrilling second-half performance to win 3-1.
However, the joy was dampened by an injury to key defender John Stones, leaving City fans and manager Pep Guardiola concerned.
Stones' Injury Worry
John Stones, a cornerstone of City's defence, had to leave the pitch just before halftime due to an ankle injury. Guardiola's post-match comments reflected worry, as reported by Liverpoolworld, "It doesn't look good, but we will see. It's his ankle."
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10:53 - 28.12.2023
Three reasons why Manchester City can win the league despite their recent woes
Despite some recent hiccups, Manchester City remains a formidable force in the Premier League. Here are three compelling reasons why they could still emerge as league champions.
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23:40 - 27.12.2023
Everton 1-3 Manchester City: Champions come from behind to resurrect title charge
Manchester City came from a goal to defeat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva.
This setback could be a significant blow for City, especially in the tightly contested Premier League race with Arsenal and Liverpool.
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Boost for Arsenal and Liverpool
While City managed to close the gap on Arsenal, moving within three points of the Gunners with both teams having played an equal number of games, the potential absence of Stones might tilt the scales in the title race.
Liverpool, two points ahead of Arsenal but having played a game more, will also be closely watching developments at City.
De Bruyne and Haaland's Fitness Updates
In a silver lining for City, there's positive news regarding Kevin De Bruyne. The influential midfielder, out since August due to injury, could make his comeback in the upcoming fixture against Sheffield United.
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However, star striker Erling Haaland remains sidelined with a foot issue. Guardiola elaborated on Haaland's condition, noting the stress on his bones and the challenges due to his physical stature.
"He's not a skinny guy like Phil Foden, he's huge and tall so it is more difficult sometimes," Guardiola explained. The manager also stressed the importance of managing De Bruyne's return carefully to avoid further injuries.
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Guardiola emphasized the need for cautious handling of De Bruyne's return, highlighting the seriousness of his injury and the risks of rushing him back.
"Kevin is close but he had fatigue yesterday and we have to be careful," he said, underscoring the priority of long-term fitness over immediate gains.
As the Premier League title race heats up, Manchester City faces a challenging phase, balancing critical injuries with the intense competition at the top. How Guardiola navigates this period could be crucial to City's aspirations of retaining the crown.
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