Silva calls for City response

David Silva has warned his Manchester City teammates they must step up their performances if they are to lift silverware this season.

City were eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League at the first possible stage and face a struggle in their Carling Cup semi-final second leg where they must come back from a one-goal deficit to beat Liverpool at Anfield.

Silva told The Sun: “Being knocked out of the FA Cup by United was an important moment, we really wanted to try and retain the trophy and it was a pain watching the Carling Cup defeat on television.”

“It was a bad result for us but we could rise above it in the second leg at Anfield. We still have a good chance of making the final.”

“One thing is certain, we have failed in two consecutive home matches against big clubs.”

Roberto Mancini’s side won only once over the festive period, a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in the league, and have seen Manchester United and Tottenham catch up with them in the title race.

But Silva maintains City’s challenge is strong and backs his team to be in a winning position come the end of the season.

“I do not think these setbacks are that significant or that City are a club in crisis,” he said.

“The season is very long and any club can suffer defeats. Of course our priority is the league.”

“We top the table and any one of our rivals would rather be in our position. Even at this stage a three-point advantage is sensational. But from now on we must play every match as though it were a final.”