HELP FOR HEROES

500 smiles wiped but Pep won't blame stars

- JEREMY CROSS

ON THE day that he takes charge of his 500th game at Manchester City, boss Pep Guardiola insists he will not blame his players for the remarkable slump that has left their season in tatters.

The premature inquest into City's astonishing collapse continues to rage in the blue half of Manchester.

Pep's reigning Premier League champions have left the footballing world in slack-jawed shock following just one win in 13 games in all competitions.

The Blues might have been deprived of a host of superstars due to a crippling injury list, but there is no denying the fact that Guardiola's Centurions appear to have become a side that has forgotten how to win matches.

Their latest setback came against Everton on Boxing Day, when Pep could still field a team which contained 11 internationals.

City took the lead and also fluffed a second-half penalty through striker Erling Haaland, eventually settling in the end for a disappointing 1-1 draw.