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Man City's Raheem Sterling relishing hectic festive schedule

Man City's Raheem Sterling relishing hectic festive schedule
© Reuters
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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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1997337221534
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Chelsea1985633231029
9Southampton188552621529
10Arsenal198382319427
11Aston Villa1682629181126
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle185491830-1219
16Burnley185491022-1219
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225

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