• Premier League

Silva: City can't afford to lose to Chelsea

David Silva believes Manchester City need to beat Chelsea on Sunday to prevent Jose Mourinho's team from opening an insurmountable gap at the top of the Premier League.

Defending champions City have dropped five points in their last two games after losing to Stoke and drawing with Arsenal.

David Silva says the gap to Chelsea could be insurmountable should Manchester City lose © Getty Images

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Defeat at the Etihad Stadium would leave them eight points behind Chelsea, who have a 100% record in the Premier League this season.

"It's a very important game," said Silva. "They're first and they've got points ahead of us. We can't afford to lose on Sunday and open that gap, so it's a very important game.

"It's early in the season, there's a long way to go and we know in the Premier League that anything can happen. But we need to win on Sunday, otherwise the gap would be getting too big between the clubs.

"As we know only too well, the fight for the title can go to the last minute of the season, so you can never stop fighting. There's a long way to go yet."

Sunday's match will pit Silva against three of his Spain team-mates with Cesar Azpilicueta being joined at Chelsea by summer signings Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.

While Silva has been in touch with the two newcomers, he says they have had to put their friendship aside in the build-up to the match.

"Sometimes we exchange texts," said Silva. "I have a very good relationship with both players. I have known Fabregas since we were 16 years old and were in the Spanish youth squads together. I think Chelsea have made some fantastic signings this summer but our friendship will be set aside because we are going out on Sunday to win.

"I'm looking forward to facing Cesc but in pretty much every game now I seem to be up against a Spanish teammate - when we play Arsenal it's Santi [Cazorla] or when it's United it will be Juan Mata."

Both Fabregas and Costa have made fine starts to the season with the midfielder recording six assists and the striker setting a Premier League record with his prolific start.

"Diego has made a huge impact," Silva said. "He's scored seven times so far so that speaks for itself. That's very important for Chelsea but not that good for us. But we've got a good defence and I believe we can stop him on Sunday."

Costa, who joined from Atletico Madrid, has settled straight into English football and Silva added: "It is not easy to adapt but he has clearly done it very quickly. Fabregas, of course, knew the Premier League before, from his time at Arsenal. Some players adapt quicker than others but it is never easy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd