Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy accepts that everything is not alright at the Etihad Stadium and has urged the Citizens to drastically improve their form.

Reigning champions City have won only six out of 16 games in all competitions in 2015 and have dropped to fourth spot in the league following Monday night's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.

"We know we need to do better," Clichy said. "We are not hiding. We owe it to the fans. We know we have to finish the strong.

"We have seven games to go. That's not many but it is still enough to make things happen.

"We have been there before. I'm talking here about winning the title because we are far from that at the moment but if we can stop losing points and finish strong who knows what can happen?

"Chelsea have to play against some big teams, including United, and Arsenal, so we will take it game after game and make sure we play the way we want to play and we know how to play because when we play like that we can win against anyone.

"So let's start on Sunday by winning the derby for the fans and for ourselves and see where it can take us."

Man City will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face local rivals Manchester United who sit above them in third spot.