Yaya Toure sets Manchester City target of beating Chelsea's Premier League goal record

Yaya Toure is targeting Chelsea's record Premier League goals haul of 103 after revealing Manchester City's 6-0 thrashing of Tottenham on Sunday was inspired by manager Manuel Pellegrini's pre-match team talk.

City's biggest ever win over Spurs means they have now scored an incredible 24 times in six home league fixtures this season.

Their overall tally stands at 34, which has them on track to eclipse Chelsea's total from their 2009-10 title-winning campaign.

Not bad for a team that has recorded just one victory on their travels this term and were beaten at rock-bottom Sunderland a fortnight ago.

It was that shock defeat at the Stadium of Light that triggered those words of wisdom from Pellegrini.

"The manager's speech before the game was unbelievable," said Toure.

"It is always difficult when you lose a game like we did at Sunderland. It is hard for the players.

"Football is so strange.

"But we have come together as a team because we want to regain the Premier League."

Goals will not be a problem as long as Sergio Aguero maintains his present form.

The Argentina star is top of the scoring charts with 10, having bagged another brace at the Etihad Stadium, whilst strike partner Alvaro Negredo is not far behind on six, adding another to his tally after being the major influence on Sandro's own goal.

"I hope so," said Toure, when asked about emulating Chelsea's massive total.

"We have the strikers. The two guys up front are unbelievable."

Indeed, they are the best in the business according to Jesus Navas, who kick started his season with a two-goal haul against Spurs, including a 14-second opener.

"I think they are the best in the league," said Navas.

"They are scoring very easily at the moment. The Premier League suits their style.

"Aguero is in really good shape. We all know about his capabilities.

"And I am not surprised about Negredo because I already knew how good he was.

"He has always loved contact with defenders so this is the perfect league for him."

For his part, Toure was keen to point out City are not a two-man team, with Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic both eager to play a part too.

Having played a central role in the Blues' first title since 1968 when they won the championship in such thrilling style with virtually the last kick of the 2011-12 season, Toure knows hammering teams on home soil alone will not be enough to get the job done.

No side has won the Premier League after losing four of their opening 11 games but City are now favourites to do exactly that.

However, the Ivorian accepts an improvement in that abysmal away form must come quickly.

"At the moment it is quite difficult but we will try to find a way," he said.

"At home we are very prolific. Away is more difficult.

"Either the referee is not fine or the fans or the opponent try to make it hard.

"That is part of football. That is the Premier League. That is why it is the best league in the world.

"We are trying to find a good balance because we have to come back. It is very important to start winning away from home."

The situation might not look quite so strange if City had lost to teams at the forefront of the battle for honours.

Other than Chelsea, that has not been the case, with Cardiff, Aston Villa and Sunderland not occupying places in the top half of the table.

"It is not just the big teams who are the problem. It is the normal teams," said Toure.

"It is always difficult away.

"But we know if we are to win the title again we have to win our away games. That is what the manager is working on."

PA