Man City's press has almost become non-existent and that is the 'most defining thing' about their torrid run of form. That is the verdict of former City defender Micah Richards, who believes Pep Guardiola's side have struggled to cope with the strain placed on them in the absence of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri through injury.

You’re getting sacked in the morning,” sang the Brighton & Hove Albion fans in Pep Guardiola’s direction as Manchester City slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat. It is a very unusual quirk that Guardiola is more likely to sign a new contract than be given the elbow over the next few weeks,

For once Pep Guardiola is making the wrong kind of history. For the first time in his managerial career it is four defeats on the spin for the 12-time league winner. Five points off the Premier League summit,

City’s slump is set against the backdrop of Guardiola’s unresolved future. He is in the final year of his contract and it was widely expected within the club during the summer that he would leave in 2025, alongside director of football Txiki Begiristain, whose departure, and the arrival of Hugo Viana as his replacement, was confirmed in October.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City will "recover our best" after he suffered a fourth straight defeat for the first time in his stellar managerial career.