Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is confident the champions can keep the pressure right on Chelsea this Christmas. Chelsea top the Barclays Premier League heading into the festive programme but with City right on their tail. The Londoners, who held a nine-point advantage over City at one stage last month, are now just three points clear after their chief rivals hit form. Pablo Zabaleta hailed Manchester City's team spirit after making it eight wins in a row against Crystal Palace The right back celebrates with David Silva after setting up the Spain international's opening goal City have won their last eight games in all competitions - one short of a club record - and confidence is soaring with the indifferent results of October and November now firmly in the past.
@highlight
Manchester City have won eight games in a row in all competitions
@highlight
City have closed gap on Chelsea from nine points last month to three
@highlight
Pablo Zabaleta says the run is down to team spirit
@placeholder (right) opened the scoring with a deflected shot during Manchester City's 3-0 defeat of Crystal Palace