Boss Pep Guardiola is calling on Manchester City to be more clinical in defence after defeat to Barcelona compounded his side to a sixth successive game without a clean sheet.

City enjoyed a frantic start to their Premier League season, winning their first five games, but the introduction of Champions League football has brought about a few stutters to the campaign.

A 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was the first blemish on the domestic record for Guardiola, with last week’s draw with Everton keeping them atop the league only by goal difference.

But it’s in Europe where most of City’s problems have come following a disappointing 3-3 draw at Celtic which, coupled with Wednesday’s defeat in Barcelona, has left the side precariously balanced in their bid to progress from the group.

And Guardiola – himself a former manager at the Nou Camp – feels much of the problem lies at the feet of his side, something which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“The defeat to Spurs was the game that we’ve had this season that wasn’t great. Against Celtic we gifted them the goals, they didn’t make too much to score a goal,” he said.

“At Champions League level, against the strikers at teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG, one chance is one goal.

“Everton were in our box twice and got a goal, so we need to improve that. We need to be more clinical, more aggressive – you can create the build-ups, but we need to be clinical to stop the goals.

“In the box we were not good. If you do that against Barcelona, with their midfielders and strikers, then it is not good.”

Ronald Koeman and Romelu Lukaku have laid down a marker to Yannick Bolasie with a ten-goal target before the end of the season.

Bolasie made the switch from Crystal Palace over the summer, a deal believed to be worth up to £30million – a price tag he is justifying with an impressive start to his Everton career.

But while the 27-year-old has three assists from seven Premier League games so far, he has yet to hit the back of the net in a Blues shirt.

Now both Koeman and Lukaku – whose faint touch denied Bolasie a goal during the Toffees’ 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough back in September – have challenged the 27-year-old to hit double figures for the season, although the manager insists it’s not just a prowess in front of goal that will define the DR Congo international.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“We were joking in training this morning with Romelu that Yannick would score 10 goals,” said Koeman. “So I said that would be a nice challenge for him.

“He needs more and he is just one of our players that we need a little more productivity from. But he is doing well and I am happy to have him.

“Yannick is the type of player that you like to have in your team. He can play in different positions across the front line and he gives a lot of energy to the team.

“He wants to work hard and improve. Yannick is a fantastic player to have in your team because he works and is committed to everyone at the club.”

A trip to an in-form Arsenal may look daunting but Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka insists a game of such magnitude shows how far the club have come under his leadership.

When Karanka took over in November 2013 Boro were nervously looking over their shoulders in the Championship, but he guided the club back into the top flight for the first time in seven years last season.

Back in the big time, Middlesbrough have undergone a baptism of fire – with their last league victory coming back in August against fellow strugglers Sunderland.

 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

But Karanka says the club have been in far stickier situations since his appointment and is confident that they can put that experience to good use before long.

“To look at the fixture list and see teams like Arsenal – that is what we have been working so hard for,” he said.

“Every single player is training really well. They know how big an opportunity this is for us.

“We have to keep adding experience, keep growing, and trust ourselves and our work.

“I remember when I arrived here, we played Millwall away in December, and before the game we were two points above the Championship relegation spaces. We were fighting to survive.

“Now we are more or less in the same situation in the league table but I am much happier. I didn’t have the experience, the staff and players I have now.”

On the surface Santi Cazorla has little trouble maintaining his cool from 12 yards – but the Arsenal midfielder revealed even he suffers a case of the jitters every time he steps up to the penalty spot.

Should Cazorla’s next strike come via the spot, he will become the first player in Premier League history to score eight in a row from just penalties.

His latest was in a dramatic victory against Southampton last month though he has not scored from open play in the league since December 2014.

And the Spain international lifted the lid on the secrets to his success.

 (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“I’m always nervous because if I miss then it’s a bad thing for me and my team, but you have to deal with it,” he said. “It’s a good responsibility to have. If the boss says that I have to take them, then that’s not a problem for me.

“You need to be confident. That’s the most important thing because if you think, ‘I have to shoot this side or the other side’ it’s a bad thing. You need to be confident to say, ‘I have to shoot this way definitely’. If you have to change your mind at the last second, then I think you will always miss.

“If you think, ‘I have to do it’ and then at the last second you change your mind, it’s a bad thing and you’ll miss.”

Jesse Lingard believes Manchester United showcased a new-found fluidity to their play after a stylish first half saw them canter to victory over Fenerbahce on Thursday.

Lingard scored a sublime solo goal in the season-opening Community Shield clash with Leicester City but since then has had trouble making his presence known.

That all changed against Fenerbahce at Old Trafford, as the 23-year-old provided the assist to Paul Pogba’s stunner before scoring the final United goal of a 4-1 rout.

 (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho took the handbrake off his side’s attack following the drab stalemate away to Liverpool on Monday – and Lingard says confidence has returned ahead of another big game against Chelsea.

“The front four players had the licence to go on and play and there was a lot of chopping and changing of positions which I think kept their defenders on their toes,” said Lingard.

“Goals and assists are especially key for me this season and I was able to get one of each so I need to kick on now.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game against Chelsea but we are mentally prepared for that. We have the confidence now to go on and win every game.”

Younes Kaboul had no doubts about joining Watford this summer and is determined to help the club improve on last year’s 13^th-place finish in the Premier League.

The French defender moved to the Hornets from Sunderland during the summer for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal at Vicarage Road.

And the club have enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign with three victories and two draws from their opening eight games.

Whilst some may have had Watford down at the start of the season to be serious relegation contenders, Kaboul has set his ambitions for the current season significantly higher.

“As soon as I had interest from the club, I said yes,” the 30-year-old explained.

 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“After the last season that the club had, I wanted to take the challenge and do better than last season.

“I knew some of the players here, like Heurelho Gomes, so it was an easy choice for me but it’s a challenge to do better than last season.

“We’ve started well I think so far but of course it’s still early days. I’m very confident that we can achieve something very great here.

“To do even better than last season, that’s the target for us.”

Manager Antonio Conte intends to keep faith with a 3-4-3 formation when Chelsea take on Manchester United on Sunday, despite the continued absence centre backs John Terry and Kurt Zouma.

Following back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal last month, Conte moved away from a back four toward the system that served him so well when with both Juventus and Italy.

The backline looks rather makeshift with Chelsea’s squad hit by injury, yet they beat both Hull City and Leicester City playing that way without conceding a goal.

And though Conte is still without what is likely to be his first-choice defenders, he will be sticking to his guns.

(Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“We changed the system of play. The team took a lot of benefit from this change,” said Conte.

“The players found the right suit with this type of work. We are more compact without losing our danger in offensive situations.

“We know we must continue to work to progress in this way. This week I am seeing the right commitment and work-rate from the players, and I see players who trust this system and this type of work.

“The last game we beat a good team who won the title last season. On Sunday, we face another great team and I want to see progress compared to the Liverpool and Arsenal games, and I am confident about that.”

Tottenham Hotspur are in the midst of a hectic schedule where they will play six games in 18 days, but defender Jan Vertonghen insists he would not have it any other way.

Spurs take on Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime following trips to West Bromwich Albion and Germany to play Bayer Leverkusen already this week.

On Tuesday they are off to Anfield to play Liverpool in the EFL Cup, then Leicester City visit White Hart Lane next Saturday before Leverkusen are the next Champions League opposition at Wembley Stadium.

Vertonghen has already played 14 times for club and country this term, showing no signs of needing a rest despite Spurs’ high-octane preference of playing under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

(John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

With fellow centre-back Toby Alderweireld injured a rest does not look to be forthcoming, but Vertonghen does not care.

“I love it! I love playing – I’d play five games a week,” said the 29-year-old.

“This is what we want and I would find it difficult to just play one game a week. Every footballer wants this.

“The Champions League is up there with the Premier League and every Champions League team we play would do well in the Premier League, so we’re constantly playing at the highest level. That keeps you focused.”

Though Leicester City’s defence of the Premier League title has not begun promisingly, defender Christian Fuchs believes there are plenty of good times to come at the King Power Stadium.

Fuchs played 30 times last term as the Foxes were crowned champions but though they have taken to the Champions League like ducks to water, they are 13^th in the Premier League table, 11 points behind leaders Manchester City.

But 30-year-old Fuchs has signed a new contract with the Foxes until June 2019 and is excited for what the future holds.

“I’m happy. I’m committed to the club,” said the Austria international.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“We had a great last season and we’ve also done well so far this season in the Champions League.
“I’m happy here and I’ve had the best time of my career so far here.

“My name is the Austrian Fox and now I’m staying with the English Foxes.
“Nobody expected what we achieved so far and I think there’s still a lot to come.

“We built a good foundation and I think we can aim for more.

“It’s a lot of fun being here and it’s amazing with the fans. Them and the club itself just makes me feel so happy to be here.”

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann will turn 30 the next time he blows out his birthday candles but has not given up hope of winning an elusive England cap.

Dann won two caps at England Under-21 level, but is yet to feature for the senior side.

Next month Three Lions interim manager Gareth Southgate will select his squad for a World Cup qualifier against auld enemy Scotland at Wembley, followed by a friendly with Spain at the national stadium four days later.

And Liverpool-born defender Dann hopes he can be considered.

(Warren Little/Getty Images)

The 29-year-old said: “Personally I would love to play for my country at some stage, so if I can keep playing well I might have a chance of that.

“It’s something I would love to do.

“In the two-and-a-half years I’ve been at Crystal Palace I feel as though I’ve performed really well but also as though I have a lot more to give.

“That’s what the aim is; to keep on improving game after game and just be the best I can be.”