Bernardo Silva: Man City must regain control in title race

Manchester City star Bernardo Silva called on his team-mates to improve following back-to-back defeats and three in its last four matches.

Silva and City have the chance to bounce back when they visit Southampton on Sunday.

Bernardo Silva said Manchester City must regain control after the stuttering Premier League champion fell seven points adrift in the title race.

City has dropped to third in the league following back-to-back defeats after Pep Guardiola's side suffered a shock 2-1 loss at Leicester City on Boxing Day.

The titleholder has uncharacteristically lost three of its last four matches to hand the initiative to rival Liverpool, which is six points clear atop the standings.

"We lost a little bit of control emotionally," said City star Silva. "I sensed the lads stopped a little bit because we weren't expecting that goal.

"For us to lose two games in a row is not good enough and it's not normal. It's all about character. We know things aren't going as we want, but we have to show heart, improve and come back from this."

Silva and City have the chance to bounce back when they visit a resurgent Southampton on Sunday.