Being top of the table: At least it beats a lump of coal

MANCHESTER, England - Roberto Mancini says he is not bothered if Manchester City is top of the Premier League table at Christmas - so long as it is there after the final game of the season on May 13.

City will head into the festive period at the top of the league for the first time in 82 years if it avoids defeat at home to in-form Stoke on Wednesday.

Only eight teams who have been top of the Premier League at Christmas have gone on to win the title, with the rest falling back in the second half of the season.