City feeling title race pressure admits disappointed Hart
Published 23:00 27/12/11 By James Nursey
Joe Hart admits his Manchester City side are feeling "the pressure" at the top of the league but insists they are still favourites for the title.
Roberto Mancini's league leaders failed to score in the Premier League for the first time this season in Boxing Day's 0-0 draw at West Brom.
Manchester United's thrashing of Wigan has ended City's lead and the rivals are now just separated by goal difference.
United could take sole possession of first place on Saturday when they host Blackburn, as City do not play until Sunday at Sunderland.
England keeper Hart, 24, admits the title race is turning into a tense, unpredictable affair. But he insists City are not cracking up after just two points from nine on the road and claims they remain the "team to beat".
Asked about City's title credentials being under scrutiny, Hart 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."
Mega-rich, Abu Dhabi-owned City are desperate for their first title since 1967-68 - when they finished two points above United.
They topped the table at Christmas this year for the first time since 1929 but have since seen their lead evaporate.
Defending champions United have now recorded successive emphatic victories over Fulham and Wigan to cut the gap.
And Hart admits Boxing Day's draw at The Hawthorns, where Albion strikers Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie were dangerous, was symptomatic of the tough challenge now facing City.
He added: "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."
Hart refused to be too downcast over dropping points at West Brom.
He said: "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."
Hart had few saves to make at Albion but had a let off when Jerome Thomas hit the post and Long headed wide.
The keeper said: "Of course it's disappointing. West Brom have set out for a point and they got it.
"We need to be winning these games but we haven't and we move on. West Brom were brilliant."
