Manchester City V Sunderland: 6 Things the Blues Must Get Right

Manchester City have been imperious at home this season. Played 15, won 15, scored 44 and conceded just seven with nine clean sheets as well as averaging 58 percent possession and 20 shots per game.

This has been the cornerstone of their title challenge and three points versus Sunderland are a must if they are to return to the summit before Manchester United play on Monday night. The Black Cats controversially grabbed the three points when the two clubs met on New Year's Day and the Blues will want to make amends with an emphatic victory.

Improve Goal Difference

City currently have a two-goal advantage in the potentially title-deciding goal difference stakes. Should the two clubs finish level on points, the team with the best goal difference will be crowned champions. Should the goal difference be tied, it will go to goals scored. Considering United have a two-goal advantage in goals scored at this stage, it is conceivable that all three could be tied by the end of the season, resulting in a play-off game for the Premier League title.

Don't Rush Players Back

It looks likely that Club captain Vincent Kompany will return to action after missing the previous three league games due to injury. His partner, Joleon Lescott, has also yet to feature since the pair were injured in Europa League action Lisbon.

Disrupting the first choice central defence would unsettle any team, but it is important not to rush either player back unless they are 100 percent ready. Micah Richards and Kolo Toure have performed admirably in their stead and with the title run-in now in full swing the Club cannot afford any further injury setbacks.

Keep the Faith

The atmosphere during the last home game versus Chelsea has been widely discussed as one of the best in the stadium since the Club moved from Maine Road.

It is vital that the supporters show their appreciation for the team in every match from now until the end of the season, becoming that fabled '12^th man.'

Give Tevez Some Time

Assisting the winning goal in the dying minutes versus Chelsea was the perfect return to action for Carlos Tevez, but the Argentine striker is clearly lacking match fitness.

A decent run-out against Sunderland will improve his sharpness and provide an extra edge in the final games of the season. A fully fit Tevez will keep the rest of the strikers on the their toes in an effort to retain a first team position.

Convert Chances

The season started in blistering form as the Blues hit four, five, and famously six past opposition teams. Now there has been a glut of missed chances and failed attempts on goal.

The important thing is that the team are still creating chances—it's when there are none created that you need to worry—but the strikers need to rediscover their clinical edge.

Officials Must Be Accurate

The last point isn't something the Blues must get right, but the officials.

City went down 1-0 with the last kick of the game thanks to a Ji Dong-Won goal at the Stadium of Light in January—the problem being the Sunderland striker was clearly in an offside position, meaning the goal should not have been allowed to stand.

A similar blunder to that on New Year's Day could be catastrophic for the Club in the title race, not to mention the decision to turn down a last minute penalty appeal for Fulham at Old Trafford.