Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini remains convinced of winning the title this season.
Mancini believes that now the club have got to the end of January still top of the crop, they will go on to claim the title for the first time since 1968.
"We would lose important players for the African Nations Cup, we would have injuries.
"I didn't think then that we would also have players banned for four games - like Vinny Kompany and Mario Balotelli - but this can happen.
"And I said that if we were still at the top after January we would win the title. Not without problems, because it is not easy to beat United.
"But it is important we are still top after this difficult period." He said: "When we spoke in October, I said December and January would be crucial months.
