MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes rival teams are scared to play at Eastlands as his Premier League leader ended 2011 with a 3-0 victory over Stoke.

Two goals from Sergio Aguero and one from winger Adam Johnson secured a routine three points, which means City has won 17 and drawn one of the 18 league games it has played at home in the calendar year 2011.

More than that, however, since December 2010 and a defeat against Everton, City has played 29 home games in all competitions, winning 27 of them and drawing twice - against Fulham in the Premier League and Napoli in the Champions League.

Stoke's toothless and defensive performance, in which it failed to register a single shot on target against Mancini's side, showed how much opponents now dread a visit to play his club.

"It's the same thing that happens against (Manchester) United," said Mancini. "All the teams that play against United play with fear and don't attack because United have been a top team for a very long time.

"Probably now, against us, some teams have a problem and they play in a different way. It's a great thing but sometimes it would be better to have a good, open match and have a good match for both teams.

"I'm happy to be at the top at Christmas, I'm happy for our supporters, they can have a good Christmas Day but I think it's important to stay there at the end of the season and this will be difficult.

"United continue to win every game ... But it is better to be at the top then second."

City's incredible home form is indicative of the major strides taken by Mancini and City in the two years since the Italian took over from Mark Hughes, although the manager wants to see an improvement in his side's away form.

Mancini must take his team to West Brom and Sunderland over the holiday period, games which the demanding manager will expect to win if his side is to remain at the top of the Premier League summit into 2012.

Agence France-Presse