Mancini: City will win Premier League

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is confident his side will defend their Premier League title despite a run of poor form.

City have gone four games without a win, the most recent of which was a defeat to Aston Villa that saw them knocked out of the League Cup.

Mancini’s side travel to face Fulham on Saturday looking for a victory to kick-start their title defence.

“Yes we will win, we will win the title,” Mancini said.

“There have been some cases where we haven’t played well, or teams have played better than us and you are unlucky, this is one of these moments.

“We just need to stay calm and work hard.”

Mancini said the late addition of new players and injury problems were to blame for his side’s recent performances.

“It’s been difficult because we were without 14 players for pre season and we had new players joining on the last day of the transfer market,” the Italian said.

“So we need time for them to bed in and for the players who didn’t have a pre season.

“It’s normal and we expected it.”

Mancini believes many of the Premier League sides have improved since last year and marked a challenge towards City to do the same if they want to reclaim their title.

“I think that this year Fulham, Sunderland and Stoke are better teams and every game will be more difficult this year,” Mancini said.

“The game in London tomorrow will be a really tough game because they play very well and they improve their team.”

City sit in seventh position in the English Premier League standings, four points behind leaders Chelsea.