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Premier League: David Silva says Manchester City cannot afford to lose to Chelsea

David Silva celebrates
Image: David Silva: Manchester City can't afford to lose

Midfielder David Silva says Manchester City cannot afford to lose Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

City are five points behind leaders Chelsea, having lost at home to Stoke and drawn at Arsenal in their last two league matches.

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"Last year we started the same and ended up winning the title so hopefully this year it will be the same, a slow start but end up winning," said Silva.

"Lots of us started late because of the World Cup and it takes time to be 100 per cent, which we are still not.

"It is a very important game, they are first and are five points ahead of us and we can't lose on Sunday and allow that gap to increase," said Silva, who was speaking at the launch of 'A new home for Bailey' campaign which has been set up to raise £45,000 for two-year-old boy Bailey Stewart, who is suffering from a rare illness which affects only five people in the United Kingdom.

"It is still in the early stages and there is a long way to go and in the Premier League we know anything can happen.

"We need to win on Sunday or the gap will start to be too big - but in the Premier League you do not want to stop fighting until the last minute."

Silva comes face-to-face with two of his Spain international team-mates on Sunday in Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

Costa has impressed Silva with his brilliant start to his career in England, scoring seven goals in four matches, while the Manchester City midfielder knows Fabregas all too well.

"Chelsea have made fantastic signings this season but we are going out to win on Sunday," he added.

"I have a very good relationship with both of them.

"Costa has had a huge impact and the fact he has scored seven times is good for Chelsea and not good for us but they are a good team as well.

"It is not easy to adapt but he has clearly done it very quickly. Fabregas knew the Premier League well from being here before.

"Some players adapt faster than others but it is never easy.

"I have known Fabregas since I was 16 years old. It is Fabregas this weekend but it has been Santi (Cazorla), Juan Mata so pretty much every game I am up against one of my international team-mates."

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