Kevin De Bruyne is hopeful Manchester City can end Manchester United’s title hopes by the end of the winter period.
City have won 15 of their last 16 matches, scoring 49 goals in those games and sit five points ahead of their local rivals in the Premier League table.
United travel to Chelsea on Sunday while City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad in two massive games at the top of the table.
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City will want to keep the gap between them and United at five points and De Bruyne has urged his team-mates to keep their foot on the pedal ahead of the Christmas fixtures.
‘We are very happy to be five points ahead of United and a little bit more ahead of the rest,’ he said.
‘But we need to put pressure on in the next big games coming up so it gives us a good advantage going into winter.
Manchester City Fixtures
Arsenal (H) – Sun, Nov 5
Leicester City (A) – Sat Nov 18
Feyenoord (H) – Tues Nov 21 (Champions League)
Huddersfield (A) – Sun Nov 26
Southampton (H) – Wed Nov 29
‘The difference from last season is that we are winning.
‘I don’t think we had a bad season last year, but against the top teams where we had good games we couldn’t finish it off – now we are doing that.’
A hectic festive period often unravels sides’ title challenge and City will know that after their bid collapsed at the turn of the new year last season.
De Bruyne has been in superb form in a rampant City and has provided nine assists already.
The 26-year-old is City’s most consistent midfielder and De Bruyne feels he has been in top form for several years.
‘To be honest, I feel like I’ve been playing good for years now with not a lot of dips,’ said De Bruyne.
More: Football
‘But I know there will be games this season where I may not even assist or score.
‘So, statistically, I will have games where I will be performing less than I was before, but overall I think I am playing slightly better anyway.’
City play United and Tottenham in December and then travel to Anfield in January.
MORE: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits he is forced to ‘push away’ Ander Herrera
Kevin De Bruyne is hopeful Manchester City can end Manchester United’s title hopes by the end of the winter period.
City have won 15 of their last 16 matches, scoring 49 goals in those games and sit five points ahead of their local rivals in the Premier League table.
United travel to Chelsea on Sunday while City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad in two massive games at the top of the table.
More: Football
City will want to keep the gap between them and United at five points and De Bruyne has urged his team-mates to keep their foot on the pedal ahead of the Christmas fixtures.
‘We are very happy to be five points ahead of United and a little bit more ahead of the rest,’ he said.
‘But we need to put pressure on in the next big games coming up so it gives us a good advantage going into winter.
Manchester City Fixtures
Arsenal (H) – Sun, Nov 5
Leicester City (A) – Sat Nov 18
Feyenoord (H) – Tues Nov 21 (Champions League)
Huddersfield (A) – Sun Nov 26
Southampton (H) – Wed Nov 29
‘The difference from last season is that we are winning.
‘I don’t think we had a bad season last year, but against the top teams where we had good games we couldn’t finish it off – now we are doing that.’
A hectic festive period often unravels sides’ title challenge and City will know that after their bid collapsed at the turn of the new year last season.
De Bruyne has been in superb form in a rampant City and has provided nine assists already.
The 26-year-old is City’s most consistent midfielder and De Bruyne feels he has been in top form for several years.
‘To be honest, I feel like I’ve been playing good for years now with not a lot of dips,’ said De Bruyne.
More: Football
‘But I know there will be games this season where I may not even assist or score.
‘So, statistically, I will have games where I will be performing less than I was before, but overall I think I am playing slightly better anyway.’
City play United and Tottenham in December and then travel to Anfield in January.
MORE: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits he is forced to ‘push away’ Ander Herrera
