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Man City's Raheem Sterling relishing hectic festive schedule

Man City's Raheem Sterling relishing hectic festive schedule
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Pep Guardiola's side host Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday evening before travelling to Everton on Monday.

Raheem Sterling has no complaints about the schedule as Manchester City play the first of two games in 48 hours on Boxing Day.

City host Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday evening before travelling to Everton on Monday.

It is a tight turnaround, but City forward Sterling is ready for the challenge.

The England international said: "It is a busy period and we know exactly what is going to come from it – and it is going to be tough games.

"We just need to be there, be on the front foot, be aggressive, be ready and try to get the three points.

"We like it. We are footballers and we love games and I am not one to complain."

City made a slow start to the campaign and remain eighth in the table, eight points behind leaders Liverpool and with a surprisingly low goal return of 19.

Riyad Mahrez feels City are improving
Riyad Mahrez feels City are improving (Phil Noble/PA)

Yet they do have a game in hand and, having gone five league games unbeaten, they hope momentum is starting to grow.

They secured a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals – where they will face rivals Manchester United – with a 4-1 win against Arsenal on Tuesday and winger Riyad Mahrez feels there is more improvement to come.

"We are struggling (to score goals) but I think we are going to improve our standard and the most important thing is to win games," Mahrez said.

"Of course, we would prefer to win 5-0 but it isn't always easy."

Phil Foden was impressive against Arsenal
Phil Foden was impressive against Arsenal (Nick Potts/PA)

Youngster Phil Foden produced an inspirational performance at the Emirates Stadium, swinging the game decisively City's way with a superb strike in the second half and then creating another goal for Aymeric Laporte.

Mahrez, who also got on the scoresheet, hailed the 20-year-old's growing influence on the side.

The Algerian said: "Phil scored the third goal with a very good action and the fourth made it easier for us.

"Phil is very good, very young, very imaginative and very good on the ball. He is a very good player."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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