Premier League: Manuel Pellegrini sets Manchester City points target

Manuel Pellegrini feels Manchester City will have to win seven of their next eight games to remain in the Premier League title hunt.

Following a stuttering start to the season, the reigning champions have slipped eight points off the pace.

Unbeaten Chelsea are threatening to break away from the chasing pack, with the busy festive period expected to offer a clearer indication as to where the top flight crown will end up.

Pellegrini is aware that if City are to cement their domestic dominance, they need to surge towards the end of the calendar year and repeat their heroics from 2013 when they won 18 of their next 20 games following the November international break.

I think it is important to have a good first half of the season – and that is more than 41 or 42 points.

The Chilean tactician said: “To repeat last year’s form will be the best thing we can do.

“I think December and this week of November are a decisive time for the Premier League.

“We are going to play eight league games and that means 24 more points to try and win.

“We have to try to do it, I think that is the only way.

“Maybe not to be top of the table, because Chelsea are in a very good moment. But I think it is important to have a good first half of the season – and that is more than 41 or 42 points.”

Pellegrini added: “It’s very important because December is the crucial month. We need to play eight games more.

“We don’t have as many as last year, when we played nine in December and nine in January.

“So we are going to have fewer games but of the 24 points that we’re going to play for now they are very crucial so that we can try to get as near to the top of the table as possible.

“Of course, we have to play 27 more games. That is a lot of points to fight for.

“And while mathematically you can still do, then you have to go for it.”