De Jong backs City

Xinhua, May 10, 2011

Nigel De Jong insists Manchester City will hold its nerve as it starts the most crucial week of its season with a home game against Tottenham that could seal its place in the Champions League.

City had the chance to effectively clinch fourth place at Everton on Saturday but slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park.

However, Harry Redknapp's Spurs could only move to within six points of City after drawing 1-1 at home against Blackpool.

With an FA Cup final to come against Stoke on Saturday, City had been keen to tie up its Champions League place to enable boss Roberto Mancini to rest players at Eastlands.

But now it knows that victory over Tottenham would seal its place in Europe's elite club competition and Netherlands midfielder De Jong expects City to go for broke despite the looming Cup final.

"Nobody likes to lose a game, especially an unnecessary loss," De Jong said.

"We just have to learn from this one and focus on the other games. It is a very important week for the club, for the fans and all the squad as well. It is do-or-die at the moment for Manchester City.

"Fourth place is in reach. We just have to win the game and then the next game (after that) is going to mean everything as well - we have the chance to win the FA Cup after 35 years.

"It is going to be a big week and we all have to be positive."

Mancini is hopeful captain Carlos Tevez, who has missed the past month with a hamstring problem, will be able to prove his fitness with a substitute appearance against Spurs ahead of the Cup final.

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