• Premier League

Pellegrini and Suarez collect December awards

ESPN staff
January 10, 2014
Luis Suarez was in fine form in December for Liverpool © Getty Images
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Manuel Pellegrini has been named Manager of the Month, while Luis Suarez picked up the award for the best player in December.

The Manchester City manager was recognised after his side took 19 points from a possible 21 in the Premier League.

The Liverpool striker became the first player to score 10 goals in a month in the division as he became the frontrunner to win the Golden Boot.

Pellegrini saw off competition from Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, Everton's Roberto Martinez and Manchester United's David Moyes, who were also shortlisted.

City won six of their seven league games, including a 6-3 victory against leaders Arsenal, and scored 17 goals, with their only dropped points coming in the 1-1 draw at Southampton.

They also recorded victories away at European champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Leicester in the Capital One Cup.

Suarez became the first player ever to score at least twice in four successive Premier League games in December.

He struck four times against Hull followed by doubles against West Ham, Tottenham and Cardiff.

The City trio of Alvaro Negredo, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure were also shortlisted for the individual award along with Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

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