CITY ARE IN SUM MESS

Pep fears slump may lead to side's downfall

PEP GUARDIOLA has admitted failure to qualify for the Champions League would cause financial issues for Manchester City as he battles with the club's worst run in 21 years.

But the City boss is more concerned at the dangers of City disappearing from regular qualification, as happened with Manchester United and Liverpool in recent years.

His side face Everton at the Etihad today with one win in 12 league and cup games their worst run since the start of 2004.

City are currently in Europe's top competition for a 14th straight season and every year, Guardiola jokes that qualifying for the Champions League is his first target, and the one that give his owners their biggest smile, which makes the club's current predicament all the more alarming.