City in no mood to ease up

Midfielder Gareth Barry is determined to keep Manchester City at the forefront of the Barclays Premier League title race.

City secured top spot at Christmas with a convincing 3–0 defeat of Stoke at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Roberto Mancini's men have dropped only seven points since the season began and scored an impressive 53 goals in their 17 games.

Despite that, arch-rivals Manchester United remain only two points behind and Barry, currently enjoying a good run in the side, admits City cannot afford to ease up.

Barry said: "We are still only two points clear at the top. That shows us that there are still other good teams around. All the time we are top we know it is in our own hands and we will keep trying to win games."

Barry has been highly influential in City's blistering start. Mancini, with an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, often juggles his side. But the 30–year–old England international has now started five games in succession.