Man City's Raheem Sterling And Pep Guardiola Wins The Premier League Player/ Manager Of The Month For December.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Pep Guardiola have both won the Premier League Player/ Manager of the Month for December.

Sterling fought off competition from fellow nominees Son Heung-min, James Maddison, Mason Mount, Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and City teammate Joao Cancelo to win the award.

Despite several speculations surrounding his future at City, and a poor run of form contributing to that, the 27-year-old enjoyed a prolific form over the hectic festive period schedule that saw Man City play seven Premier League matches in just a matter of days.

Sterling made five league appearances in December, netting five times and providing one assist for Pep Guardiola's side.

The England international started the month with an assist away to Aston Villa, before scoring once away at Watford.

He became the 32nd player in Premier League history to reach the 100-goal milestone when he scored the only goal via penalty against Wolves at the Etihad stadium.

He then scored again away to Newcastle, before wrapping up the year with a brace in the 6-3 emphatic win against Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Expressing his delight to his award, Sterling told City's official website: "I am delighted to win this award again – but December was an amazing month for the whole team.

"The Premier League is the most challenging competition in the world, so to win all seven of our league games throughout the month of December is incredible.

"Contributing to those wins with goals has felt good and that makes me happy. Hopefully we can continue this form because 2021 has been brilliant for us.

"All of us want to win trophies at the end of the season and that is what our aim will be from now until then."

This will be the third time that Sterling would be winning the award in his career, after previously earning the prize in August 2016 and November 2018 respectively.

Meanwhile, Man City manager Pep Guardiola has also won the Premier League Manager of the Month for December, making it a back-to-back win for the Spaniard having also won it in November.

His team enjoyed a perfect December, playing 7 games, wins all, 24 goals scored, and 4 cleansheets.

Guardiola has now won consecutive Manager of the Month awards for the third time in his career as Man City boss;

First in (September, October, November, December 2017).

Second in (January, February 2021), and third in (November, December 2021).

He has now won the award a total 11th time - which is the third most awards won by a single manager, overtaking David Moyes record of 10. Only Arsène Wenger [15], and Sir Alex Ferguson [27] have won more.

He won the award seeing of competitions from Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp, and Tottenham Hotspur Antonio Conte, and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta. 

Guardiola appeared in front of the media today for the first time since he contracted COVID-19 prior to their FA Cup win away at Swindon Town. 

He was replaced by assistant manager Rodolfo Borrell on the touchline for that game when their strong side brushed the League Two side away.

While Guardiola returned to take training this week along with some players who have also returned from their isolation, the City boss said that there were also others - who had also tested positive to the virus, but did not wish to be named to protect their medical confidentiality.

Man City prepare to host Chelsea on Saturday, as Guardiola would be adding Sterling to the matchday squad. 

A win for Man City would see them go 13 points clear of Thomas Tuchel side at the top of the table.