Fulham's visit has taken on greater significance after January's bleak end, but if the media wonders whether City are starting to wobble, they shouldn't have asked Vincent Kompany.

His words on the subject are as solid as his tackles, and sportinglife.com reports: "City's captain insists the Blues have the mental toughness to stand the heat in the title race.

"The pressure has been turned up ... with their 1-0 defeat at Everton coupled with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Stoke meaning Roberto Mancini's side now top the table by goal difference alone.

"It remains to be seen whether they can hold off United's challenge, but Kompany is confident City's players will not buckle."

Here's Vinnie: "If there is one thing I know about our team, it is that we are mentally strong.  We have been living with this pressure for the past three and a half years, and it has not affected us.

If anything it will give us a boost to carry on and if people want to underestimate us, then please do so

Everton marked the skipper's return from a four-match ban, and he adds: "It's not been enjoyable but I have been looking at the team and still feel that we have done a good job.

"Now we have to look forward, and looking forward I see good things for us, and that is what is important."

Out in Africa, Yaya Toure seconds that emotion, despite being at the heart of Ivory Coast's bid to land the Cup of Nations with a quarter-final date on the day Fulham brave the Etihad.

He tells goal.com: “We have a great team and I know I am certainly not irreplaceable. Look at the amount of money the club has spent on talent and tell me that ‘there is only one Yaya’.

“I do not believe this. Somebody can still play in my place and help us win. By the time the Africa Cup of Nations finishes, I hope we will still be on top of the league.”

By the way, that transfer window that just closed? They're already drawing up plans for the next one at Real Madrid, who fancy signing Sergio Aguero according to the Mail.

They reckon: "President Florentino Perez is desperate to sign the City striker and is willing to part with whatever money it takes to lure the Argentine to the Bernabeu.

"To fund the ambitious offer, which City would be very reluctant to accept, Real want Gonzalo Higuain to move to Chelsea."

And the Mail's Screamer column says that "Roberto Mancini is ready for a battle with Chelsea to sign Lille forward Eden Hazard". Doesn't he ever take a day off?