After 20 league games, all that separates Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the league is a handful of letters. A huge if it may be, but IF it stayed this way after 38 games then the title would be decided by way of a play-off.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side play Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow and only alphabetical order keeps Chelsea ahead of them on paper.

The Colombian forward, 28, arrived at the 20-time league champions in a big-money loan switch from French principality club Monaco in September last year in a major move by Louis van Gaal.

League One side Oldham are mulling the signing of former Manchester City and Sheffield United player Ched Evans, who served half of a five-year sentence for raping a woman in a hotel in May 2011 before his release last year.

Manchester City statistics 2014: As we wave goodbye to 2014, here’s MM’s statistical round-up for the blue side of Manchester.

Louis van Gaal’s men, now unbeaten in nine Premier League fixtures, could only wrestle a draw from Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, despite having confidently dispatched Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

United were in devilish form at Old Trafford on Sunday as they sealed their sixth consecutive Premier League victory by beating Liverpool 3-0.

The relative lack of current success for both clubs is threatening to take some of the bite out this most tempestuous of clashes.

City are currently on fire with six consecutive wins and celebrated qualification into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy believes that City can achieve greatness this year if they continue to play as they did in last night’s crucial Champions League group game against AS Roma.

Robin van Persie’s double secured a 2-1 victory for United – their fifth on the bounce – against Southampton on Monday evening, though they only managed three shots on goal, their lowest tally in a game since 2003.