De Jong: City ready to win ugly

Nigel De Jong says Manchester City can grind out results in their bid to win the Premier League title.

The 27-year-old also insists City will not buckle under the pressure from local rivals Manchester United.

City have faced some tough challenges lately but De Jong says Roberto Mancini's men have learnt to battle out results in hard games.

"We have had a difficult time in the last few weeks, but the important thing is that we are still at the top," De Jong told The People.

"There will be times when you aren't playing well and that is when you have to show that you have good character.

"Earlier in the season, we weren't just winning games we were playing some beautiful football. Other teams have learnt from that and now they know they have to stop us from playing.

"In the last few games we have proved that we now have another way of winning, by grinding out results.

"If we win 1-0 until the end of the season we'll finish top."

A lot has been said about Manchester United's uncanny ability to hit form in the final stages of the season, but De Jong is defiant and claims City have what it takes to re-write the history books.

"United have won the Premier League before, but I don't think that gives them an advantage," he said.

"Last season City showed they are winners in the FA Cup. If you look around the club there are winners everywhere.

"Yaya Toure has won the biggest trophies with Barcelona and Roberto Mancini has won many titles in Italy."