Ilkay Gundogan admits Man City struggle to meet expectations after West Brom draw

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan played down injury concerns after picking up a knock in Manchester City's Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United.Gundogan scored the opening goal as Pep Guardiola's men beat Newcastle 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in their first game after Christmas.

straight to your inboxRuben Dias is hopeful that Manchester City's draws will prove useful in the final Premier League reckoning but admits they cannot get used to them. Pep Guardiola's side have lost just twice in the Premier League this season but are well down the table in 8th because of their inability to turn one point into three in more than a third of their matches.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggests that John Stones is the perfect partner for new signing Ruben Dias.The Manchester City manager added Dias to his defensive ranks from Benfica in the summer for a club record fee, offset by Nicolas Otamendi moving the other way.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested that the financial consequences of the pandemic will prevent Manchester City from buying a striker in the January transfer window.The Blues were interested in signing a forward in summer but with money being used elsewhere to strengthen to defence - Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake arrived at a combined cost of more than £100m - and the club making a conscious effort to keep net spend down the decision was taken not to add another marquee forward.Sergio

straight to your inboxRodri became the first outfield player for Manchester City to pass 1,500 minutes played this season during the draw with West Bromwich Albion.Pep Guardiola has made a point in recent weeks of saying that his squad have to perform well every game if they are to keep their place in the team, with John Stones and Ruben Dias examples of individuals that have risen to Guardiola's challenge.Rodri, signed from Atletico last summer for what was then a club record fee of £62.8m, has

straight to your inboxAlan Shearer has bemoaned Manchester City's lack of firepower - but is not writing them off just yet. Pep Guardiola's men were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

direct to your inboxJohn Stones is not carrying an injury despite missing Manchester City's Premier League game with West Brom. The 26-year-old has fought his way back into the team after two years of injuries and personal issues preventing him from holding down a regular place, and started alongside Ruben Dias for the Manchester derby as they notched another clean sheet.

straight to your inboxRaheem Sterling has insisted Manchester City have coped with the loss of Vincent Kompany and David Silva in the dressing room and named Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne as players who have stepped into those roles. Two of City's greatest ever players have left the Etihad Stadium in the last two summers, with Silva moving to Real Sociedad after 10 years in England, whilst Kompany joined Anderlecht as player-manager.

straight to your inboxManchester City will be looking to improve on their goalless draw against Manchester United at the weekend when they welcome West Brom to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.Pep Guardiola's side drew criticism for their lacklustre performance against their rivals at Old Trafford and currently sit ninth in the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the new season.Nevertheless, City have an excellent record against the Baggies, winning their last 14 fixtures against

straight to your inboxManchester City were disappointed to leave Old Trafford with a draw having made it "impossible" for themselves to win, according to Rodri. Neither side created much in a dull affair that lacked spark but Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling all had opportunities to score that they failed to take as the struggles in front of goal for Pep Guardiola's team continue.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola decided against bringing on more than one substitute during Manchester City's goalless draw at Old Trafford because he felt his players were "sharp". The City boss has been a strong advocate of the Premier League bringing in five substitutions this season but he's now only used five replacements in the last four games, two of which very injury-enforced.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola hailed a good point for Manchester City in the Premier League against Manchester United. The Blues played out a dull derby draw at Old Trafford that leaves them a point behind their neighbours and five off the top of the Premier League table after 11 matches.

straight to your inboxJohn Stones has insisted he is motivated by Ruben Dias' arrival at Manchester City and relishes the competition for places.The Englishman was linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium in the summer after falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola.

straight to your inboxPablo Zabaleta says John Stones would not be part of his ideal back four for Manchester City.The centre-back has been in excellent form since being recalled to City's starting line-up, having effectively found himself as sixth-choice centre-back during the summer.It has led to plenty of debate over what City's strongest defence is, with Aymeric Laporte missing four of their last five games.The likes of Nathan Ake, Eric Garcia and summer signing Ruben Dias are also vying for