A surprise 1-0 defeat by Everton combined with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Stoke City left both clubs on 54 points, five ahead of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
However, this weekend's fixtures offer some comfort for City whose start to 2012 has been anything but impressive.
It all points to Roberto Mancini's side opening a three-point gap, at least for 24 hours, but as United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is never slow to point out, victories in the run-in can never be taken for granted, whoever the opposition.
"Maybe I thought before the game maybe it was easier," Mancini said after the defeat at Goodison Park. "I don't want to do the same mistake next Saturday. I'm disappointed for my mistake."
"It is a great opportunity to create history and be part of this club's history, that is my aim, to help the squad achieve the target which is to win the league title," Pizarro told the Manchester Evening News.
"Games at Chelsea in the last few years have been tough and we've had terrible luck there which has caused us disappointing results," he told United website.
"The players know what they need to do. We've done very well away from home this season and we need to be good from now on.
"We've got some really important away games in the run-in - Chelsea, Tottenham and City. They're going to be crucial games."
Tottenham rekindled their title hopes with a 3-1 home victory against Wigan Athletic and a rare "league double" over Liverpool last season means Harry Redknapp's side will approach Monday's game in a positive frame of mind.
