Gareth Barry reckons "same again" is the watchword to carry City through to victory in the tricky Boxing Day fixture against his old rivals West Brom.

The England midfielder, enjoying a fine campaign, was in the side that triumphed 2-0 at The Hawthorns with two first-half goals from Mario Balotelli last season.

Barry said: “Last year we played some really good stuff there and Mario scored a couple of great goals, and if we can put in a repeat performance then I’m sure we can win the game.

“The manager said to us before Stoke that if we showed the same spirit as against Arsenal and put in the same hard work, then we’d win the game. The same will apply at West Brom.  

 

We’re going there with confidence. We’re top of the table and playing some great stuff

 

“But at the same time we know if we slip down a gear or don’t work as a team, anything can happen.”

He knows Albion well after a decade with neighbours Aston Villa: “It used to be a derby for me when I was at Villa, but their fans don’t give me as much stick as I get at Birmingham!

“West Brom are always tough to beat, especially at their place. We’re going there expecting a tough game but at the same time we’re playing some good stuff so it’s in our hands.

“Their confidence will be sky high after winning in midweek because Newcastle have been playing well, so to beat them away from home is a fantastic result. But we’ve got to concentrate on our own game.”