Hart - City feeling the heat

[Reprint from sky sports]

Goalkeeper Joe Hart admits Manchester City are feeling 'the pressure' at the top of the Premier League but insists they are still the team to beat.

Roberto Mancini's leaders could only manage a goalless draw at West Brom on Boxing Day, failing to score in the league for the first time this season.

Neighbours Manchester United beat Wigan at Old Trafford to close the gap on their local rivals, with the title challengers now separated on goal difference only.

Hart concedes City are feeling the heat in the top spot and felt it showed at the Hawthorns, where Albion strikers Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie threatened throughout.

He said: "Of course we feel the pressure. Everyone felt the pressure from West Brom. We felt the pressure from Odemwingie and Shane Long .There is all sorts of pressure.

"But we're applying pressure as well, which is what makes it so good."

Favourites

Despite that admission, Hart still sees City as favourites to lift the trophy this season.

Questioned about the Blues' title credentials being under scrutiny, the 24-year-old England keeper said: "Let them make a lot of what they want.

"We're top of the league, still playing well, still creating chances. We're the team to beat and we're enjoying that.

"It's not always going to be as easy as we've made it look, and that was proved.

"The league is not set up for us to win it. Everyone has their private little things that they're doing - if they're not challenging for the title they're challenging for Europe, if they're not challenging for Europe they want to stay above the relegation zone, so everyone has got their own agendas and that makes for a great league."

Hart refuses to be downcast over dropping points at West Brom, adding: "At the end of it, we want to be winning games but if you aren't winning it's still nice to have that cushion of being top of the league. You have got to earn this title. It's hard work."

（一个慢牛）