Yaya Toure has urged Manchester City to seize the initiative and capitalise on being handed an unexpected Premier League title lifeline by leaders Manchester United.
The midfielder has described next Monday's derby with United at Etihad Stadium as one of the most important games in the club's history.
City players found out about United's shock 4-4 home draw with Everton on the coach to Molineux for Sunday's clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri, means City are only three points behind United and with a superior goal difference.
Toure said: "United's result was amazing. It was an unbelievable day for us with United dropping points at home. For me, it was strange.
"We did the first part by beating Wolves but we have to settle down and continue to work hard because United still have three points more than us.
"We have to play them at home and, if you look at the record of United, they are very strong away and it will be a very difficult test for us.
Toure praised the City players for being able to take advantage of United's slip-up by disposing of relegated Wolves.
He said: "People say we looked nervous at stages of the game. When your big rivals drop points at home, and you have to win your game, it is quite difficult. But with the players we have, it can make the difference all of the time with the likes of Aguero, [Carlos] Tevez and Nasri, and we did the job."
Toure knows City still have plenty of work ahead if they are to win their first top flight title since 1968. He said: "They are very difficult games to come. We have United, then Newcastle who are playing well at home.
"These games will be very tough until the end of the season, and QPR are playing well as well."
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