Manchester City are third in the Premier League at Christmas for the second successive season after a solid first half of the campaign under new boss Pep Guardiola.

City had suffered back-to-back defeats against leaders Chelsea and champions Leicester at the start of the month which threatened to derail their title chances, but vital home wins over Watford and Arsenal have given them a chance going into the New Year.

Guardiola’s side are seven points behind Antonio Conte’s Blues, and face bottom side Hull on Boxing Day in a bid to record a third straight Premier League victory.

All in all, it has been a decent season thus far for City, who have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League where they will meet Monaco, although a spell between October and November somewhat threatened to ruin their fine start, which saw them win ten straight games from the beginning of the campaign.

Nonetheless, with Christmas on the horizon, we thought we’d take a look back and review City’s year so far, and we have selected their top THREE goals of 2016…

Yaya Toure vs Dynamo Kiev (February 24)

Manchester City were 2-1 up and looked set to take a narrow lead into the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash against Dynamo Kiev until Yaya Toure produced a moment of brilliance.

The Ivorian had missed a free header from a corner to give Manuel Pellegrini’s side breathing space in the tie about five minutes earlier, but he made amends in the best way possible.

A neat one-two with Fernandinho saw Toure advance to the edge of the box, where he then whipped a stunning effort out of reach of the stranded Kiev goalkeeper from 20 yards out.

It was also the importance of the goal that should not be understated, as City were comfortably the better side and deserved a two-goal cushion to take back to the Etihad.

Kevin De Bruyne vs Bournemouth (April 2)

Man City had won just one of their preceding six Premier League games heading to the Vitality Stadium in April, but they produced an emphatic performance to brush aside Bournemouth 4-0.

And it was their second goal which was particularly special, scored by Kevin De Bruyne.

David Silva regained possession on the edge of the box and found Sergio Aguero, who brilliantly chipped it up towards Silva, who then expertly laid it off with his left foot towards the onrushing De Bruyne, who excellently finished on the volley past Artur Boruc. Simple.

It was a wonderful goal involving some nice, intricate football, one touch passes, and then a well-placed volley to finish.

Sergio Aguero vs West Brom (October 29)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws_6J_98Pb8

Sergio Aguero had ten days previous been dropped from the Man City starting eleven for the game away at Barcelona in the Champions League, a move that stunned many around the country.

Yet he reminded us all of what he could do in their 4-0 win over West Brom back in October, netting a fine brace of which the second goal was a belter.

It was all a bit scrappy in and around the Baggies penalty area when Aguero picked the ball, made a bit of space for himself, and then rifled home an unstoppable strike past the helpless Ben Foster.

It was incredible how he was able to generate so much power from a small back lift, but it was again a reminder of what a top-quality striker the Argentine is.