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Premier League | Gameweek 35
Apr 20, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
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Bernardo Silva: 'Manchester derby crucial for the title'

:Headline: Bernardo Silva: 'Manchester derby crucial for the title': ID:356889: from db_amp
City head to Old Trafford to take on United on Wednesday.

Bernardo Silva has welcomed the pressure as title-chasing Manchester City prepare for a critical derby at Manchester United this week.

Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford appears to be the biggest hurdle left facing City as they chase another Premier League crown following Saturday's tense 1-0 win over Tottenham.

Much has been made over whether United fans might actually prefer loathed neighbours City to win the title rather than arch-rivals Liverpool, but Silva does not expect that to affect players' thinking.

Silva believes United can make things tough for City (Nick Potts/PA)

United are in a tight battle themselves for a top-four spot and Silva thinks they will be just as hungry for the points.

The Portuguese midfielder said: "We are so happy with the win (on Saturday) and now it's on to another tough one against Manchester United which I think will be crucial for the title.

"It's a big game for us, a big game for them. They need points to be in the top four and we need them to fight for the title.

“We expect a very difficult game against one of the best sides in England.”
- Bernardo Silva

"So we expect a very difficult game against one of the best sides in England.

"They will be motivated to beat us and we look forward to it. We know we need the win, and the pressure is on – but that's a good thing."

Silva played an influential part as City gained a measure of revenge for their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Spurs.

Phil Foden (centre) scored the only goal against Spurs (Martin Rickett/PA)

His clever cross in the fifth minute opened up the Spurs defence and Sergio Aguero nodded across goal for 18-year-old Phil Foden to head what proved the clincher at the Etihad Stadium.

Spurs had numerous chances to level but City held on in a tense and scrappy finale for three vital points. The major downside for City was another injury to Kevin De Bruyne, who limped off in the first half. The club are awaiting an assessment.

Silva said: "It was a massive win, very important for us, especially after the defeat in the Champions League.

"We wanted to give a response with our fans here at home and I think we did it in the best way possible in difficult conditions. It was very warm outside and we played a very tough team with less than 72 hours to recover. It was three big points."

Silva is one of three City players nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award along with Raheem Sterling and Aguero.

The 24-year-old, who is also on the shortlist for Young Player of Year, said: "Of course I would like one of us three to win, that would be nice, but what really matters is we win the Premier League and FA Cup."

Spurs now have a Champions League semi-final against Ajax to look forward to but defeat at the weekend damaged their chances of qualifying for that competition again.

Eric Dier (left) hopes Spurs can get back to winning ways (Martin Rickett/PA)

Midfielder Eric Dier said: "We have to win every game and we want to win every game. That would always be the objective, no matter what the situation, but of course with the Champions League being so important to us we have to win all our games.

"We want to experience nights like we did the other day and to do that we need to be in the Champions League next year, so I think our motivation is quite clear."

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2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
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5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
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