Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini feels that his side are under more pressure than Manchester United in the title race run-in because the Red Devils are so used to being in title chases at this time of year.
The Italian recognises that Sir Alex Ferguson's team have been there or thereabouts in the Premier League ever since its inception, while City's most recent experience of a title chase going down to the wire was 35 years ago, when they missed out to Liverpool by a single point.
Mancini told The Daily Mirror: "It could be normal that we have more pressure maybe than United because United have stayed at the top for 20 years.
"For them, it is easy. For us, it is the first time. We were only top for seven months [this season]."
Despite this added pressure, the 47-year-old believes that his players are more than capable of living up to the responsibility of securing City's first-ever Premier League title.
Mancini hopes that his team's midweek comeback win over Chelsea can be used as a springboard for the rest of the season after recovering swiftly from the disappointment of losing to Swansea City and Sporting Lisbon in the last two weeks.
"I enjoy it," said the Italian, who won three successive Serie A titles with Inter.
"In the last month we didn't play very well and in some moments of the season, there are some games that can change everything.
"Like how things changed when we lost our first game in London. That changed something inside us.
"I think this game against Chelsea can change things again and make us positive inside our minds."
City can crank up the pressure on Fergie's men by going top, for 48 hours at least, by securing victory over Stoke for the first time in the Premier League when the two clash at the Britannia Stadium.
Mancini, who is without the injured Vincent Kompany for the clash with the Potters, is desperate for his side to grasp the opportunity and put themselves back in the driving seat, albeit potentially only temporarily.
The 47-year-old added: "Always, it is better to stay top.
"We lost first position when we lost at Swansea. Now we have the chance to go top again as United play on Monday [at home to Fulham]. It's important that we arrive at the derby [on April 30] very close and, if we win at Stoke, our way will be open."
Mancini also ruled out a place for Carlos Tevez in the starting line-up, despite the returning Argentine getting the crucial assist to secure the victory over Chelsea on Wednesday.
"He's not ready to start, we will see because after six months, he has played only 30 minutes. So I think he will be tired," the coach argued.
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