Pablo Zabaleta admits Man City need no added incentive as they ready themselves for another crucial fixture in their Premier League title chase.
City defender determined to get his hands on the title
Pablo Zabaleta admits Manchester City need no added incentive as they ready themselves for another crucial fixture in their Premier League title chase.
A rollercoaster ride of a season has seen the Blues take to the top flight summit, only to tumble from their lofty perch and surrender the lead to arch-rivals Manchester United.
Nerves have been jangling over recent weeks, though, and City returned to top spot on the back of a memorable derby success at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.
With only two games of the season remaining, the title is now theirs to lose.
Victory in a testing trip to Newcastle on Sunday would see Roberto Mancini's men edge ever closer to the prize, and Zabaleta admits there will be no need for a motivational team talk on Tyneside.
Focused
"We have all the incentive we need," the Argentina star told City's
official website.
"We know that we're playing for the title and this game will make the difference.
"We need three points. We are well aware that if we lose or draw, United can overtake us if they beat Swansea.
"We know what is at stake. I can see our players are very focused.
"The momentum within our team is incredible and there is a very positive atmosphere."
City's form away from home is responsible for their failure to have already wrapped up a title success this season, but Zabaleta claims recent showings on the road have offered cause for optimism ahead of a meeting with top-four hopefuls Newcastle.
Excited
"Our performances away from home have been better in the last few games," he said.
"We had a poor run at the beginning of the year and we struggled to find our form. But we are back to our best now and St James' Park is the perfect setting for a game of this magnitude.
"It is a great stadium and they have great fans who are very excited because they're playing for the Champions League spot. But that is not our concern. We are only thinking of ourselves.
"This is a huge opportunity for our club. We are writing our own history as we go along and have two huge games left.
"Our attitude won't change - we will fight until the end."
