Manchester City defender Gael Clichy insists they can retain Premier League crown

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy is refusing to give up hope of catching rivals Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are 12 points clear at the top of the table and are favourites to reclaim City's crown with just 10 games to go.

But Clichy is taking heart from the fact they won the title last season despite trailing United in the closing stages of the campaign and insists history can repeat itself.

"If you look at the scenario, it is actually not that much different from last season - eight points behind with six games to go last year, 12 behind with 10 to play this time around," Clichy told the Manchester Evening News.

"If United don't make mistakes, they will win the title, but everyone is saying United have to lose four games.

"That's not true - if they draw a few matches we can make up points in that way.

"It's easier to be 12 points ahead because if you draw one and then lose one, you still have a good lead.

"But one bad result can become two and then the doubts creep in. You ask yourself 'Is it going to be the same as last season?'"

Clichy has targeted the next four games as crucial if City are to keep up the pressure on their rivals.

Roberto Mancini's side go head-to-head with United on 8 April at Old Trafford before entertaining West Brom.

But first they face a tricky trip to Everton on Saturday, with City having won just one of their seven meetings with the Merseysiders under Mancini, before playing Newcastle at home on 30 March.

"What we want to do is keep taking three points every week and really keep the pressure on United," added Clichy.

"The next three or four games are crucial for us and if we do well during this period, we will see.

"It will be difficult, but knowing what happened last season we can't think it is finished as we know we have the quality to do it.

"All we need is a bit of luck, which comes with hard work."

-SkySports