City can still talk the talk in title race...

ASIDE from Jamie Carragher suddenly realising that Erling Haaland is good at scoring goals, there hasn't been much talk about City this season.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Pep Guardiola reacts during City's defeat to Villa on Sunday

Pep Guardiola's side collapsed so dramatically and emphatically last year that talk at the top of the table has instead focused on the two teams that finished above the Blues.

Reigning champions Liverpool had a perfect start (results wise, anyway) that included victory over Arsenal, but are currently in freefall with four consecutive league defeats. The Gunners, meanwhile, have surged into a six-point lead with four straight wins after rescuing a point against City at the Emirates.

That gap was only three points before Sunday though, when the Blues had picked up a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions and were slowly finding their mentality and rhythm again.