Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes City are set for the title after emerging from a difficult January still top of the table
The Etihad Stadium outfit had to deal with a number of injuries and suspensions during the past month as well as the absence of Yaya and Kolo Toure, who are on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Results duly suffered, with the club crashing out of two cup competitions as well as losing crucial league matches to Sunderland and Everton.
However, they still began the month of February top of the league on goal difference and nudged two points clear following their win over Fulham on Saturday and United's draw at Chelsea 24 hours later.
The last eight titles have be won by the team topping to table going into February, something not lost on Mancini, who is now eyeing Premier League glory in May.
He told the Daily Star: "It is important to be at the top at the moment - this is very important. During the season we know there are difficult moments.
"I don't think we had a bad month in January, but we had a difficult month because this can happen with injuries, players away and players banned.
"If you have these problems, maybe it's clear that you can't always play very well.
"It is important that we stay top and don't think about the other teams."