City feeling the pressure — Hart

MANCHESTER City are still the team to beat in the title race despite feeling the pressure from rivals Manchester United, according to goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Having seemingly swept all before them this season, City were pegged back at the top of the table on Boxing Day, with the red half of the city pulling level on points courtesy of a 5–0 win over Wigan.

That came as City were drawing 0–0 at West Brom, with now only a superior goal difference keeping them on the summit.

And England stopper Hart has acknowledged the heat being generated by United, but insists he and his team–mates are up for the fight.

He said: “Of course we feel the pressure. You have to earn the title and it’s hard work. We’re the team to beat and we’re enjoying that, but it’s not always going to be as easy as we’ve sometimes made it look in the past.”

Captain Vincent Kompany believes City's tough January schedule will bring the best out of him and his team–mates. Manager Roberto Mancini has voiced concern at the upcoming programme, which begins with a trip to Sunderland on New Year's Day and a clash with Liverpool on January 3.

City then face arch–rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup third round and also have a two–legged Carling Cup semi–final against Liverpool.

Kompany said: "Personally, I love it. I am looking forward to that month, knowing that every game is going to be a big game. It is something that usually makes me raise my personal level and makes the team raise their level. We are a team capable of doing good things on big occasions.”