Christmas No.1!

MANCHESTER City are top of the table on Christmas Day for the first time since 1929.

Sergio Aguero’s double, either side of an Adam Johnson effort, secured a 3–0 win over Stoke City. In addition to their status as the Premier League’s top dogs, it also means City end 2011 having dropped only two points at home all year.

Aguero was named man-of-the-match for another outstanding contribution, taking his seasonal goal tally to 15. But there were plenty of other contenders too.

“Sergio scored two goals but all the players did very well,” said Blues boss Roberto Mancini. “I am happy to be at the top at Christmas. I am happy for our supporters. They can have a good Christmas Day. But as I have said many times, it is important to stay there for the rest of the season.

“For this, it is difficult. United continue to win every game, the other teams continue to win such as Arsenal, Tottenham. But it is better to stay on the top than second.”

Micah Richards was not too impressed with a Dean Whitehead tackle judging by his comment on Twitter. But Mancini expects his full–back to be fit for the Boxing Day trip to West Brom.

And, noting the defensive tactics Stoke employed at the Etihad Stadium, Mancini believes his own side will receive the same attention as Manchester United have become so used to down the years.

“It is the same thing that happens against Manchester United,” said Mancini. “All the teams that play against them play with fear. They don’t attack because for a long time, United have been a top team and it was very difficult. Probably now against us too, some teams have a problem and play in a different way.”