Premier League: Pablo Zabaleta says every match will be a 'cup final'

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta says every match will be like a cup final for the rest of the Premier League season.

City were held to a 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday, whilst Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-0, Jose Mourinho’s opening up a two-point lead at the top of the table as a result.

Zabaleta said: “We know the race for the title is going to be very hard and very tough. Chelsea are in great form as well but every single game in the Premier League is like a final - especially when you play away from home.

“You don’t have any easy games and teams can drop points like we did today so now we need to stay positive. We have Arsenal next weekend and we need to go there and try to win it.”

Zabaleta admitted that City need to have their big-name stars fit for the rest of the season.

Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Edin Dzeko are all fit again after injury lay-offs.

Aguero came off the bench in the final 20 minutes at Goodison, and fit-again skipper Kompany was named on the bench, but did not play. Dzeko was not named in the match-day squad.

Zabaleta said: “They are really important players for our team. Obviously we need all the best players to be 100 per cent fit because this is a crucial period for our team.

“We have a lot of big games coming up and Champions League as well. Hopefully they can stay 100 per cent fit for the upcoming games and we are looking forward to that.

“We now have Arsenal at home which is another important game for us because we need to win that before we play against Chelsea.

“This is what the Premier League is all about. Every game is a final. We need to stay focused on what we are doing. We are playing well and at the moment we need to win games.”