City aiming to topple Arsenal by new year
Manuel Pellegrini has told Manchester City they must start delivering in away games if they are to reach top spot by new year.
In his programme notes before the 3-0 win over Swansea, the City boss revealed his intention of beginning 2014 at the Premier Leagues summit.
I would like to arrive at the new year in first place but if that is not possible, then no more than three points from the number one position, wrote Pellegrini.
City lived up to that bullish statement with Samir Nasris double and Alvaro Negredos free-kick maintaining their 100 per cent home record.
The priority is to carry that into away games, City going into next weeks trips to West Brom and Southampton having already lost four times on the road this season.
Asked if he was confident of reaching the top during December, Pellegrini said: I can answer your question after we finish the two games we are going to play away.
I have a lot of trust in this team. We have to play six more Premier League games during December.
We are six points behind Arsenal, that is too much. We will try to cut this, but if Arsenal continue winning it is not easy. If you cant be top a good target for our team is to be three points behind.
Swansea had plenty of the game until Nasri, who toiled last season, continued his rich vein of form with a second-half brace.
Pellegrini added: Samir is playing free, he is happy and feels again he is an important player.
The way he plays maybe is very comfortable for him also.
