Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini: 'We can't afford to drop any more points'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his team cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to keep up their defence of the Premier League title.

The North-West outfit are currently seven points behind leaders Chelsea in the standings and have grabbed just two victories in as many top-flight fixtures.

"We cannot drop more points," Pellegrini said in this afternoon's press conference. "But the important thing also is, if we win we will have the same amount of points at the same moment as last season.

"We can't think about where Chelsea is. It's important not to drop points and the only way to do it is to play well."

City, who won the title last season by two points, will take on Newcastle United at the Etihad tomorrow.