Javi Garcia believes the competitive nature of the Barclays Premier League means Manchester City can still cling to the hope of overhauling Manchester United in the title race.
City will enter the final 10 games of the campaign lying 12 points adrift of United after overcoming Aston Villa 1-0 on Monday night. Garcia acknowledges the contest would be over in other countries where there is less strength in depth in the leagues and where one or two clubs dominate.
But the Spanish midfielder knows shock results are possible in England as demonstrated by City's own recent defeat at struggling Southampton. Garcia, signed from Benfica for around £16million last summer, said: "Being 12 points in front is a good position for Manchester United to be in."
He added: "But there are still 10 games left, it is still 30 points to play for, it is still possible (to win the title). We are Manchester City, we need to fight until the final game. We will fight for this Premier League title.
"The players remember the gap that City made up last season. I think, if it was the same situation, in another league it would be impossible to make up the gap.
"But, in England, everything is possible because all the teams are stronger. United can lose a few games. It is possible."
City have still to take on United in the second Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford but Garcia knows they must keep the pressure on by winning the games before that showdown.
He said: "We still have to go to Old Trafford and obviously a win there would cut the gap by three points. But firstly we have strong games to play against teams like Everton and Tottenham. It is important we win at United but if we don't win, for example against Everton, maybe the gap will be too big."
Garcia was delighted with City's performance at Villa Park.
He said: "The important thing was for the team to win this game. It was hard and Villa, although down the bottom, are a good, young team and they played very well. But City defended very well and on the counter-attack we were very strong."
