A chastening home defeat to Manchester City has given Premier League leader Manchester United all the incentive it needs to win against Stoke City on Sunday and move closer to sealing a 20th English league title.

Champion City cut United's lead to 12 points after Monday's 2-1 win at Old Trafford, though with seven games remaining the Premier League trophy appears destined to be prised from its grasp by its neighbor.

City manager Roberto Mancini has already conceded the title to United but a fired-up Stoke, dragged into a relegation battle by a dismal run of form, will be desperate to take at least a point from Alex Ferguson's men.

If Mancini is already planning for next season, his City players have not quite given up hope United might still slip up.

"In our dressing room, we think it is mathematically still possible," said City midfielder James Milner, whose side faces Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

"Hopefully, we've put a bit of doubt in there. It could be a bit of a stumble. If this rocks them, then great," he said in reference to Monday's derby victory.

The loss was United's first in the league since Nov 17 and ended a run of six games without conceding a goal.

Ferguson promised his side would "have a go" on Sunday and have three wins and a draw from their past four trips since Stoke returned to the top flight.

Stoke, in 15th but only three points above the drop zone, has just one away league win this year.

"With the supporters right behind us, the spirit of the club will take us through," said goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Sunderland sits one place above the drop zone and a highly-charged atmosphere is certain when it heads a few miles north to take on bitter rival Newcastle on Sunday.

Sunderland is level on 31 points with 18th-placed Wigan Athletic and, after a run of nine games without a win, new manager Paolo Di Canio has told his players they have to "fight a war" at St. James' Park.

"I'm looking forward to the game and every match we're in now is a cup final," said defender Danny Rose. "I've heard from the staff and the lads that it's a hostile atmosphere and I'm looking forward to it. We shouldn't be in this position but we have to try and forget about that and do our best over the next six games."

(China Daily 04/12/2013 page24)