Manchester City playmaker David Silva has insisted that his team are capable of making the neccesary improvements to retain their Premier League title.

Roberto Mancini's side fell six points behind Manchester United with last weekend's derby defeat at the Etihad.

Silva admitted that City's start to the season has been below the required standard but thinks that there is still time to rectify the situation.

He told The Guardian: "You can always improve, but each game has its own circumstances and I'm sure we will improve and get back to our normal self.

"Six points is a gap, it is a big gap. But last year we saw how they were in front by quite a lot of points and we won the league anyway. It can be done.

"We're responsible for what has happened. The way we played in the Champions League, we all have to take the blame for that. It didn't start well in the Champions League and it became an uphill task. But you can't just blame the manager."

The Spanish international has scored just once in 17 appearances for City so far this season.