Top four finish a big job – Sylvinho

Sylvinho insists it will be a major achievement if Manchester City hold on to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League and qualify for the Champions League.

The Eastlands club have been the biggest spenders in the top flight for the last couple of seasons following the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover in 2008.

Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz have all arrived in big–money moves, with expectations duly rocketing.

Manager Mark Hughes was dismissed in December and replaced by Roberto Mancini, despite City having lost only twice in the league all season at the time.

With six games to go, Mancini’s side lie fourth, a point ahead of Tottenham and four clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.

Sylvinho said: “When you talk about the top four in the Premier League, people are used to seeing four teams, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

“It doesn’t matter if you spend a lot of money, it’s difficult to get in the top four. We are nearly there and the next six games we’re going to see how it goes.

“We’ve got a good chance. We’re working very hard and the next result is really important.”

City climbed back into the Champions League places courtesy of a 6–1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The visitors were four up inside 20 minutes and five ahead at half–time before torrential rain took its toll on the playing surface.

Sylvinho added: “It was amazing, this kind of result is not normal for the Premier League. Tactically it was so good, we created a lot of chances. It was an unbelievable first half, which was a good job because in the second half we couldn’t play.”