Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits his team are finding life tough at the top - but would not expect anything different.
City have led the Barclays Premier League since October but have lost their thrilling autumn momentum and been unable to pull away from champions and arch-rivals Manchester United.
Mancini's men endured a particularly tough January as they were beaten twice in the league and knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Their latest defeat, at Everton on Tuesday, left them ahead of United only on goal difference.
It has been suggested Mancini and his players could be buckling under the pressure but the Italian insists that is not the case as all teams encounter difficult patches.
"We don't have any reason to have pressure. We never thought that we could win the title in January or February. The Premier League you can win at the end of April - not now," he said.
"It is impossible to stay on the top for five months and not have any problems.
"It will not be easy to stay there, especially when you fight against United.
"United have been used to staying on the top for 20 years."