City forgotten they're champions?

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Big game ... Chelsea take on Manchester City in a big Sunday night clash. Source: Matt Dunham / AP

When Manchester City and Chelsea drew 0-0 earlier in the season the champions were just one point behind Manchester United, while the Blues, concerned about slipping out of the title race, had just appointed Rafa Benitez as manager, who was booed during the Stamford Bridge clash by the home crowd.

Since that Premier League November meeting City have slumped 12 points behind United and crashed out of the Champions League, while Chelsea have gone from six points behind the league leaders when Benitez arrived to 16 adrift.

About five weeks ago it seemed United and City were pulling away from the rest of the pack at the top of the table, leaving Chelsea and co to battle it out for third

However, Roberto Mancini's side have failed to win in three, suffering a shock 3-1 defeat to Southampton last time out in the league, and Chelsea have moved four points behind them, with Tottenham just trailing by five.

Enjoy this blockbuster clash live from 12.15am (EDT) on Fox Sports 1 HD.

Tevez breathed life into City against Leeds. He always sets the tempo for the rest of the side.

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Suddenly, Chelsea and Tottenham are targeting second and City need three points on Sunday to keep them at bay.

But City's performance against Southampton was one of the worst I've seen from them in the last couple of years; in the past two seasons they've generally been fantastic but they looked a tired team at St Mary's.

The players looked like they were running on empty, they seemed despondent and didn't have the same fight they had last year. That was encapsulated by David Silva.

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He's usually their catalyst and the link to everything they do well, but he's not been his normal self this season and that must result from the amount of football he's had to play in the last few years.

At this time of year, when you're not getting results and lose a couple of games, you can start to look towards the end of the season and feel the tiredness, rather than focussing on what you're play for.

But City need to remember they can - although it is now unlikely - catch United and they're still in the FA Cup, a tournament they probably need to win to ensure Mancini keeps his job.

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United completely blew it last year and I can't see that happening again - but who knows? All of a sudden we could have a massive change around if United slip up and City string some wins together.

It's unlikely, but City need to keep on believing; they can't allow their season to disintegrate, and They owe it to themselves and to their fans to produce a determined performance on Sunday against Chelsea.

Carlos Tevez breathed life into them last week in their 4-0 win at Leeds and they really need him to get them going this weekend, because he always sets the tempo for the rest of the side.

If he starts then I reckon he can inspire them to a 2-1 win.

Chelsea are back performing at a good level - the level a squad of their quality should be regularly playing at - and Eden Hazard showed with his fantastic goal in the Europa League on Thursday the quality they possess.

But, at the Etihad, where City have been so strong in recent seasons, the home side need to play like champions and fight to defend their second place.