• Premier League

De Jong claims City are No. 1

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 20, 2011
Nigel de Jong has proved to be a driving force for Manchester City © PA Photos
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Nigel de Jong believes Manchester City need no longer head into the Manchester derby with an inferiority complex.

City are two points ahead of United at the top of the Premier League table, dropping just two points so far this term. De Jong is delighted to go into the match at Old Trafford looking down on Sir Alex Ferguson's team, and is confident of taking the three points which will open up a five-point gap.

De Jong told the Daily Mirror: "Of course everyone believes we can go there and win. We're going there as No. 1 and the aim is to stay No. 1. We are on top of the league so going into that game we just have to be confident and play our game as well as we have been doing.

"The pressure is still the same as it was last year. But what has changed is that we are now No. 1 going into this derby. We don't have any point to prove. We've shown our quality throughout the season. We don't need a game against United to show how good we are.

"But it's two of the best teams in England going up against each other and I expect it to be a great game. Everyone was talking about that FA Cup semi-final but we proved we can win. Now we have to go into this game believing we can get the three points.

"Every game you win gives you something extra going into the next game. That's especially the case when you've got a game like this one on Sunday. The belief has always been there for us. We're confident but United will be as well. They're at home and it's a massive game for both of us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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