• Premier League

Silva: City can't afford to lose now

ESPN staff
January 15, 2013
David Silva has warned Manchester City cannot afford to slip up anymore © Getty Images
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Manchester City midfielder David Silva admits his side's Premier League hopes hang by a thread as the defending champions attempt to reduce Manchester United's lead at the top.

United maintained the seven-point gap over their cross-town rivals with a 2-1 win against Liverpool on Sunday and Silva believes City cannot afford to lose any more games if they are to keep the Premier League trophy at the Etihad.

"Yes, because if we lose, then suddenly the gap is 10 points and that is when it gets really difficult," Silva said when asked if it is important for City to get points from every game. "But if we keep fighting we hope that they will falter."

United's title chase gained momentum after the Manchester derby in December and Silva claims that although a repeat of last season's heroics is unlikely, City will maintain the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

"All we can do, whatever the gap is, is keep going, every game, and put them under the pressure of knowing that if they lose a game or drop any points, we will get closer to them," he said.

"That works the other way, of course, too, because if we lose we will get further away, but we cannot think about that. We just have to continue as we are. The league is still there to be won."

City's Champions League exit last month made the Premier League one of their only hopes for success this season, but Silva is hoping United's European ambitions derail their domestic charge.

"That could be an advantage for us," he said. "They have an important game against Real Madrid and we only have the league to think about. That could work in our favour."

Roberto Mancini's side have won six of their last seven games, scoring two or more goals in a majority of those fixtures to keep their season alive in the Premier League and FA Cup.

"I think in the last few games it's not that we've improved particularly," Silva said. "Its just that we've had that touch of fortune which maybe we weren't getting earlier on, like in the United game, when they scored a lucky goal in the last minute.

"We are playing well and doing the right things, and then we are getting those moments of good fortune going our way now."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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