Premier League preview: Manchester City v Fulham

A positive mindset will be key when Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City look to bounce back in the Premier League at home to Fulham on Saturday.

Following Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Everton at Goodison Park, a result Mancini said was his own fault, City now lead champions Manchester United by only goal difference.

The leaders’ ineffectual performance was almost as baffling as Mancini’s post-match declaration that he failed to prepare his side adequately.

“It’s important for me to know what this mistake is. I didn’t prepare well because I thought maybe this game was easier and you know here (Goodison Park) is never easy, never,” Mancini said after the match.

“I didn’t prepare well with the training in the last three or four days.”

All great motivational managers shield their players from blame, a technique the Italian may have been using with these remarks, but what he cannot hide is the effect Yaya Toure’s absence is having on the side.

The Ivorian is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and it would appear – given losses to Manchester United in the FA Cup, Liverpool in the Carling Cup and now Everton – his presence is more critical than most might have thought.

It would be premature to say City’s title push is ailing but another loss, after two in their past five league matches, would surely sound alarm bells.

In a peculiar twist Mancini signed Roma veteran David Pizarro on deadline day, a player he likes and linked up with while manager at Inter Milan.

The 32-year-old may be a stop gap for Toure, but he is a player capable of adding steel and creativity in the holding midfield position.

Martin Jol’s Fulham will feel their trip to the Etihad Stadium has come just at the right time, if ever there is one.

Fulham have been in reasonable form in the league with a thumping 5-2 win over high-flying Newcastle followed by a 1-1 draw with West Brom in their most recent outing.

Bobby Zamora was offloaded to QPR in a four million-pound deal while Stuttgart’s Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak will fill his shoes for the remainder of the season.

For years rivals United have proven their ability to grind out results when not at their best, and for all City’s dominance this season their neighbours are just six goals worse off.

With that in mind, nothing less than full points will be acceptable for Mancini’s side on Saturday.