Manchester City's David Silva has insisted that this weekend's clash with Fulham is vital to his team's Premier League title defence.

The Spaniard admitted that the Sky Blues have underperformed this season, and is targeting improvement starting with the trip to Craven Cottage.

"The truth is we didn't play good football, we have to improve, like last year when we started very well," The Sun quotes Silva as saying.

"We have to get back to that level and to find that we have to work hard to do so as soon as possible.

"We haven't started as everyone wanted to but we're still in the fight for the title. The League has just started as has the Champions League."

Silva recently signed a five-year contract with City, ending speculation linking him with a move back to Spain.