Manchester City duo David Silva and Eliaquim Mangala are keen to maintain the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea over the festive period.
Manuel Pellegrini's champions headed into the November international break eight points behind Jose Mourinho's pacesetters. But a run of six consecutive league wins from City has reduced that deficit to three points as the sides prepare for the run of matches during Christmas week.
Silva netted a brace in last weekend's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, helping to send his team-mates into their Boxing Day trip to West Bromwich Albion and the visit of Burnleytwo days later in buoyant mood.
"We know that we have to play a lot of games during this month and that we have to try to get as many points as we can so let's see if [Chelsea] drop some points and we can put some pressure on them," he told City TV.
City have not conceded a goal in their past four matches across all competitions, with Mangala, a close-season signing, an ever-present during a period when the defence has mostly operated without captain Vincent Kompany due to a hamstring problem. The France centre-back believes the best way to keep the pressure on Chelsea is to maintain their form and for City to focus purely on themselves.
"The next fixture is on Boxing Day and we have a lot of games that get closer [together] - what Chelsea does is not our problem," he told City TV. "We need to stay focused on what we have to do.
"If Chelsea drop points it's good news because we are currently fighting against them but there is still a long way to go until the end of the season. We are not making as many mistakes as we used to one or two months ago. We need to keep going and continue that run."
If Kompany's absence is a problem for Pellegrini, it pales in comparison to the headaches the manager has at the other end of the pitch. City find themselves in the busiest period of the season with all three senior forwards, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, sidelined through injury.
The champions took to the field against Palace without a recognised striker, but midfielders James Milner and Silva took on central attacking duties in fine style. It is a role Silva has undertaken with club and country and one he revels in.
"I've always said that I like to play in the middle and every time I play there I try to score goals, also when I play wide but I prefer a central position,” Silva said. "Without strikers we have to give a bit more on trying to score goals. We did that in the last game and hopefully we can continue like this."
While Silva shines in a number of positions, the challenge for Mangala is to nail down a centre-back berth. The 23-year-old admits he endured tough moments during his early outings for City, something he was prepared for given the unique nature of the Barclays Premier League.
"It's true that I had difficulties to adapt at the beginning but I was expecting that and was prepared," he said. "I didn't have any moment of doubt. I knew I would settle in. It's when you play games that you learn.
"It's a new league, a new pace and a new style of play. The more I play games, the more I am settling in."
source: premierleague.com
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