Manchester City are carrying all the momentum and a winning mentality into the busy Christmas period, showing the title race is far from decided.

With the win over Crystal Palace, Manchester City now have a win streak of 8 wins in all competitions. Drawing level with Chelsea at the top of league (although they have a game in hand), and qualifying for the Champions league knockout stages, the season is certainly looking brighter for City.

At one point, 8 points adrift in the league and going out in Europe, some were questioning Pellegrini’s leadership and the future of some players with the club. You would be hard pressed now to find those people, as they seem to have conveniently disappeared.

The run can certainly continue way into the New Year, with City playing West Brom, Burnley and Sunderland in the next 3 games, before an FA Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday.

Manchester City’s next major test will probably come against Arsenal

Manchester City’s next major test will probably come against Arsenal on the 18th of January, and that game will made all the easier if City can keep churning out wins and keeping the pressure on Chelsea to stay ahead.

Chelsea have a trip to Stoke on Monday, and a loss there places the title race in a completely different perspective. With games against Southampton and Tottenham coming up in January, there’s certainly the potential for slip-ups.

The aim is for Manchester City to be ahead in the league by the time the two title challengers face each other at the end of January, as it will place all the pressure on Chelsea. City seem to thrive when the attention is directed elsewhere. Some were giving the title to Chelsea in November, and since then City have quietly gone about their business and find themselves now in a great position.

City’s squad depth will be tested over the next month or so, but in the past few games some more bit part players have made the step up, which gives me more confidence that we should negotiate the Christmas period fairly well. With Aguero hopefully back during January, City can take his return as fresh incentive to keep the wins coming.