City Target Victory Over Sunderland

Manchester City can steal a march on Premier League title rivals Manchester United this weekend and hope mind games do the rest when the champions play on Monday for the second straight week.

Roberto Mancini’s City took top spot temporarily last Saturday after a 1-1 draw at Stoke City only for United to go three points clear with a 1-0 home win over Fulham, where they were lucky to get away with a late penalty shout.

This time City are at home to mid-table Sunderland on Saturday while United visit relegation-threatened neighbours Blackburn Rovers, the only team except for City to win at Old Trafford in the league this term.

December’s 3-2 defeat rocked United’s shaky defence and though the backline has recovered its poise recently with Jonny Evans in especially fine form, City will look to pile on the pressure by beating Sunderland and hope Rovers get a repeat win.

Steve Kean’s side lie three points above the drop zone in 16th but even a tough match against a physical side battling to avoid relegation does not faze United forward Javier Hernandez.

“It’s a part of the season that all the players want to be involved in,” the Mexican told ESPN.

“It’s a long season so these final few games are more emotional for everyone, but we have a big chance to win the Premier League again. We’re in a great position because it depends on us.”

With eight games left and the Manchester duo meeting at Eastlands on April 30, a twist in the title race is almost inevitable and City executive Patrick Vieira has been trying his best to undermine Alex Ferguson’s men.

The former France and City midfielder first said United were desperate for calling Paul Scholes out of retirement to fill a hole in their less-than-stellar midfield.

Ferguson angrily responded by pointing out that City had welcomed back Carlos Tevez, a player who refused to warm up for a Champions League game in September, disappeared to Argentina and was told by Mancini that he had no future at the club.