Mancini: City entering toughest spell

MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini believes his side will take some stopping if they can emerge unscathed from the next two months.

The Premier League leaders face a stern test of their title credentials in the coming weeks with tough fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal before Christmas.

January appears even more imposing with three clashes against Liverpool — including the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final — a visit from Tottenham and the start of their FA Cup defence, against arch-rivals Manchester United.

City will also have to make do without their midfield inspiration Yaya Toure, as well as his defensive brother Kolo, early in the new year due to their involvement in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.

The Toures will return before City begin their Europa League campaign in mid-February and Mancini hopes his team have asserted their dominance by then.

Mancini said: “We have done well but the season is long. Now we have two difficult games, against Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I have said before the next two months will be important months.

“Yaya is an important player for us — we don’t have any other players like Yaya.

“We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment. For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose.”

City will hope to put this week’s Champions League setback behind them as they return to Premier League action at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Mancini’s men failed to progress beyond the group stage of Europe’s elite competition on Wednesday despite beating Bayern Munich in their final fixture.

Yet performances in a stuttering European campaign have not affected Premier League form this term with City undefeated in 14 games in the domestic competition having scored a remarkable 48 goals.

City’s only dropped points have been in draws at Fulham and Liverpool and Mancini expects his players to rise to the challenge posed by Chelsea.

He said: “I think it is good to play this game, it is an important game against a top team.

“But if we want to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea we must play a strong game. They have important players and are experienced.”