Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his Premier League leaders that they cannot afford to offer unexpected gifts on their travels over the festive season.

City starts its final game of 2011 at West Bromwich Albion on Monday two points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United and on course for its first top-flight title in 44 years.

But Alex Ferguson’s reigning champions will end the calendar year at the summit if they follow up victory over struggling Wigan on Monday with another three points against bottom club Blackburn on Sunday.

That is because City does not play again after Monday until Jan. 1, when it travels to Sunderland.

Mancini’s expensively assembled side has led the table for most of the season and remain the favorite to finish the impressive job it has started.

It appears to have an easier second half to the campaign on paper. While United still has to travel to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and City, Mancini’s men, invincible at home this year, host Tottenham, Chelsea and United.

But Mancini is taking nothing for granted and wants maximum points at West Brom and Sunderland after drawing 1-1 at Liverpool and then losing 2-1 at Chelsea in its past two away league games. “We still have Chelsea, United, Tottenham and Liverpool to come to the Etihad Stadium, but we need to win away games as well. And we have only one point from our last two,” said the Italian. 

(AFP)