If Mancini’s team extend their nine-game unbeaten record by beating Everton at the City of Manchester Stadium, City will be top of the pile on Christmas Day - a feat last achieved in 1929.
The Blues boss rates the next four matches - against Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Blackpool - as crucial to City’s bid for glory and aims to kick off with victory over a side his team failed to beat last season.
Mancini said: “The fans have been great and should continue to support the team like they have in other times. It’s important that we are focused on Everton and that the supporters are focused on Everton.”
It is a year since Mancini arrived to take charge of the team and start his reign with four successive wins, and he is confident that striker Carlos Tevez will rise above his rejected transfer request.
He insisted: “We can play very well and strong, like we did in the last game against West Ham. We can only beat them if we play like this. Carlos will be OK.
“Carlos is a football player and he loves football. He plays like he did when he was young, in the garden. Every day, whether in training or in an important match, he always plays the same way.”
