Premiership managers are convinced Manchester City can gatecrash the top four this season.

A survey of all 20 Premier League managers found that 80 per cent - 16 gaffers - believe Mark Hughes' side will end the stranglehold of Manchester United, ChelseaArsenal and Liverpool.

No team has managed to break this domination since Everton grabbed fourth spot in the 2004-05 season.

Barclays, sponsor of the Premier League and title sponsor of the League Managers' Association, asked the 20 men in charge their thoughts and predictions for the current season.

Chelsea are the favourites for the title with 10 of the bosses - 50 per cent - choosing the Blues ahead of current champions United, who got eight votes.