Manchester City attackers to blame for wobbling form - not a leaky defence, says manager Pep Guardiola

AGUERO

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's attackers should shoulder the blame for their turbulent run — not his leaky defence.

City capitulated to concede four goals at Everton on Sunday afternoon, falling 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Their inability to convert obvious first-half dominance into a lead was the real contributive factor to a fourth defeat in eight, according to Guardiola.

'The consistency of a clean sheet depends on how you create in front,' he said. 'The defence is not the reason why [we're conceding], it is a consequence.'

Goals have not been as forthcoming in the league, with City nowhere near scaling the fluid heights of earlier this season.

Sergio Aguero has just three Premier League strikes since the beginning of November, with question marks hanging over his ability to deliver what the manager wants.

Guardiola is also still waiting for the FA to ratify Gabriel Jesus' registration documents, while City have their eye on attacking targets next summer.

Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — a target first revealed by Sportsmail last year — will again be of interest after holding talks in the summer.

Aubameyang, away with Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations, already has 21 goals to his name this season.

Guardiola added: 'Football depends on the way you attack, how clinical you are, if you're players are confident and the first time they arrive they score a goal.

I want us to get better and better and feel we are able to score goals. When that happens we are going to suffer less behind. Our strikers will have more confidence.'

John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Gael Clichy were all spared by Guardiola after a dismal display at Goodison Park.

The club are ready to land a new goalkeeper with Claudio Bravo again coming in for criticism and Willy Caballero's contract drawing to a close.