Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has warned his players not to get ahead of themselves.

City have a tough week ahead, with the Fulham clash followed by the derby at champions Manchester United next Tuesday and then a trip to title rivals Arsenal.

Pellegrini's men also have a trip to Liverpool, another side in the title race, to come.

Yet for now his only focus is bottom side Fulham and what he believes could be a tricky contest.

He said: "I think it is just a very tough game. All the teams in the last position - not only in the relegation positions but in the last position in the table in the second round (of fixtures) - try to add points everywhere.

"A team like Fulham are used to defending and with Felix Magath - he always plays his teams with a lot of intensity - I am sure we need to work very hard during the 95 minutes if we want to win.

"That is why we start a very important week, but the most important game in this week is Fulham.

"I am talking to the players, trying to convince all of them it is always a difficult game.

"Maybe for important games, with the most important teams, the motivation is alone - you don't need to talk too much.

"But in these kind of games, it is very important to play from the beginning as a final."