11 Things Manchester City Must Get Right to Repeat Premier League Title Success

Manchester City narrowly escaped a shocking defeat against Southampton in its first game as Premier League champions. But Roberto Mancini's men manufactured two goals in the late stages of the match to come away with a 3-2 win at the Etihad.

With the club just as loaded as last year, combined with the chemistry, confidence and comfort of success last season, City undoubtedly are among the favorites to capture the EPL crown this season.

The talent is there, but what other pieces need to fall into place for Mancini's side to retain its title as champions?

Here are 11 things that can support City's chances at a repeat.

Stay Healthy

As with any title campaign, the ability or fortune to stay healthy is as critical a component as fielding the talent and teamwork that fuels a crown run.

Matchday 1 saw Sergio Aguero go down with an apparent injury to the knee. How long he will be out remains to be determined, but already it presents a bump in the road for last year's champions. Full-back Micah Richards will be out for another month, putting a decent dent in City's defense.

City may be loaded with internationals up and down the roster, but it takes healthy ones to win matches, first and foremost.

As talented a squad as Mancini boasts, one can only wonder how deep the team truly is. But the bottom line is a healthy City lineup means a great chance at wins, and wins can lead to championships.

Silva and Nasri Must Find Form

Just like the engines in Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona fuel the Catalans attack, Samir Nasri and David Silva serve as the catalysts for a City offense that measures up well with the best in the world.

When the two midfield magicians find their form, it typically leads to goals by the numbers for Mancini's side.

Nasri looked great in City's opener against Southampton, scoring the game-clinching goal that put the Blues up 3-2 in the final minutes. A forgettable debut from Silva should have him anxious to match the efforts of his French counterpart, and it should only be a matter of time before the Spaniard reaches his level from a season ago.

With options ahead like Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and occasionally Edin Dzeko, there will always been plenty of firepower in the final third.

Two of Four Must Score

City can field a combination of size, strength, agility, creativity and moments of pure brilliance with an attack that hosts Aguero, Tevez, Balotelli and Dzeko.

Whether or not Aguero's apparent injury sees him miss significant time, not all is lost for the potent attack.

Tevez looks comfortable in what could be a renewed and energetic campaign for the Argentinian. Balotelli would do well to follow a good outing in the European Championships with more good form for his club, and Dzeko could be the team's point of attack with his size.

If two of the four can sustain good scoring form, City will be in good position to challenge for a repeat.

Maintain the Unbeaten Streak at the Etihad

The last time Manchester City lost at its home grounds was in a 1-2 defeat to Everton in December 2010. 

Posting good form at the Etihad can only help City's form on the road, providing a reminding foundation of consistency and strength that brought the EPL title to the club.

City went 18-1-0 at home last season, and every point counted in a title-winning season decided by a plus-eight goal difference over runner-up Manchester United.

Add One More This Summer or in January

After winning the league last season, City should feel the target on its back.

Manchester United signed two potentially huge difference-makers in Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie. Chelsea added Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar. Arsenal tripled up with Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla. But City has reeled in just Jack Rodwell.

With the improvements in the other camps atop the Premier League, City should look to match the addition in quality by its competition.

Overall, Mancini's side could be just a single acquisition away from pushing for a repeat. It may be Daniele de Rossi from Roma or Daniel Agger from Liverpool or even somebody else who is rumbling around the rumor mill. 

Earn at Least a Split with England's Best

City will be expected to pick up three points against most of the competition in the Premier League.

But against the league's best in Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and perhaps even Tottenham, City will need at least a split in its series with each club this season. Dropping points at home would be devastating, but stealing points on the road at least helps to stay even.

City swarmed United 6-1 at Old Trafford before defending its own turf with a 1-0 triumph later in the year in what became two iconic wins in City's title-winning season.

Defend

In every sense of the word, City must defend to defend its title.

Mancini's side can score with the best of them but have shown signs of lackluster defending. Against the squads that have loaded up offensively, City stand a great chance if its back line can hold strong.

At the end of the day, City allowed just 29 goals all of last year—four fewer than second-place Manchester United. A similar statistic this season could go a long way toward another title in Manchester blue.

Do Not Settle

Many times last season, we saw City jump out to an early lead against several opponents. Somewhat forcibly in the second halves of those games, Mancini opted to shut things down offensively and sit on those leads.

While the team was often rewarded for such efforts with the full three points, there were times when the lack of offensive push left them in a funk when City needed additional goals.

This is no call for a change in the way Mancini runs his team, but City know what it takes to win the league by the slimmest of margins. Settling for wins instead of grabbing the three points by the horns each and every matchday will serve as a better equation toward claiming another crown.

Production from Depth

Everyone knows the laundry list of stars available on City's squad. From Nasri to Silva to Tevez to Toure to Kompany, Mancini has a wealth of talent readily available.

But when his namely internationals do not see the pitch, it is City's depth that will have to match the quality.

The Zabaletas, the Milners, the Kolarovs, the de Jongs and several others will provide the extra get-up in City's step when fatigue sets in for the starters.

City has paved the way to have the deepest pool of talent in its club, but it only matters when the depths of the pool produce.

Breakout Campaign

The minute that Sergio Aguero debuted for City last season, the rest of the league knew how potent the Blues would be.

The Argentine hardly disappointed over the course of the season and provided quite the influential campaign that helped City claim its first title in 44 years.

Aguero's health is already a concern after a defeating injury against Southampton, but the club is stacked with enough talent that a quality season from one player will be enough to establish form and confidence.

A hearty year from a player like Mario Balotelli or even Carlos Tevez will go a long way toward carrying City where it needs to be. Finding their scoring shoes to match the creativity of City's midfielders will be critical in securing the necessary points.

Avoid Distractions

City did well to escape distractions that could have derailed its title-winning season last year.

Between Balotelli's immature antics and the Tevez saga, there was every reason for the rest of the squad to lose focus on its goals and accomplishments.

Instead, Mancini managed to push a talent-ridden team through the thick of the drama and come out as England's best.

This season figures to produce much less off-the-field issues, but it is never far away from a club this heavy with quality.

A two-week slip-up is enough to crash the repeat party.