Zabaleta says City will respond

Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta knows the champions are under pressure to perform as Manchester United continue to control the Premier League title race.

City began 2013 with a routine 3-0 win over Stoke at the Etihad Stadium but they remain seven points off the pace.

City lost ground as they were beaten in the Manchester derby just over three weeks ago and then suffered a shock loss at Sunderland on St Stephen’s Day.

Zabaleta feels they have responded well to those setbacks but they must keep working hard.

The Argentina defender, who opened the scoring against the Potters, said: “The most important thing is always the performance of the team.

“We played a great game, we had a lot of chances, defensively we were very solid and it’s another clean sheet.

“We know we are seven points behind United so it’s going to be very tough, but keeping positive and keeping working is the key to catching United.

“It was hard to lose against Sunderland but you need to try to respond well. We did it and I’m very proud for the team.”

Zabaleta been one of the side’s outstanding players this season but remains an unsung hero.

He said: “You feel great when people give you credit but I always try to put the team before me.

“Football is not about individual players, it’s about the collective.