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Guardiola wins record fourth Premier League manager of the month award

Pep Guardiola has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for December to become the first coach ever to win the award four months in a row.

The Manchester City manager also won the award in September, October and November as his side remain unbeaten this season.

City finished the year 14 points clear of their rivals after completing six victories and one draw in December.

Among the games was a 2-1 victory away to second-placed Manchester United and a 4-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.

They also beat West Ham United 2-1, Swansea City and Bournemouth both 4-0 and Newcastle United 1-0 to set an English top-flight record of 18 straight wins before ending the month with a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

In a season when City have set numerous records, Guardiola now as his own by winning the award for a fourth time. Chelsea's Antonio Conte is the only other manager to win it on three successive occasions, which he did so last season.

Guardiola topped a six-man shortlist which included Conte, Everton's Sam Allardyce, Roy Hodgson of Crystal Palace, Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Meanwhile, Tottenham striker Harry Kane picked up the Player of the Month award for a joint-record sixth time and Jermain Defoe's strike in Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace was named Goal of the Month.