• Premier League

Smalling warns City will 'crumble' sooner or later

Chris Smalling has tipped Danny Welbeck to keep improving © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Aguero backs 'misunderstood' Balotelli
  
• News: City unlikely to appeal Balotelli charge
  
• News: PSG confirm pursuit of Tevez is over
  

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is confident Manchester City will eventually "crumble" under the pressure of the Premier League title race.

United kept pace with their arch-rivals on Sunday, remaining a mere three points adrift after defeating Arsenal 2-1 at Emirates Stadium just hours after City had picked up all three points against Tottenham thanks to Mario Balotelli's 94th minute penalty winner.

That result seemed to end Spurs' own title aspirations and reduce the league to a two-horse race - and Smalling is confident that only United have the ability to withstand the pressure that will now build over the second half of the season.

"It was a massive win for us," said Smalling. "Even at 1-1 we all knew that we really needed to win this game because of what happened earlier and I think we showed real character. Soon enough, if we keep ticking these wins, then they'll crumble."

Danny Welbeck scored the winner for United against the Gunners, turning home Antonio Valencia's cutback in the 80th minute, and Smalling believes the young striker has proven his credentials and will go on to be an integral player for both club and country.

"If he can keep this form all the way through the year, I think he's going to have a great end to the season and a great summer as well," he said of Welbeck. "He's come on leaps and bounds.

"He always had that pace and that finishing ability. But now he's obviously a lot stronger because when he plays up on his own or Wazza's [Wayne Rooney] just off him, he needs to be strong and we can't lose the ball.

"I think that's something that he's really gained and he's scoring goals. He's had a knack of scoring good goals this year and at vital times as well. Last year he did well [on loan] at Sunderland and this year he's getting his chance."

Having played a number of games this season at right-back, the returning Smalling played at centre-back against Arsenal due to the absence of both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The former Fulham man is looking forward to trying to establish himself in that role over the remainder of the season.

"It's nice to come back into the centre," Smalling said. "I've had a frustrating last month with the illness but I'm feeling fit as a fiddle now and hopefully I can have a good run until the end of the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.