MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 03:18:31| >> :120:14217:14217:

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."

ID:427865: cacheID:427865:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6518:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring for Newcastle United on October 3, 2020
Read Next:
Steve Bruce cannot put timeframe on Lascelles, Saint-Maximin returns
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!