Manchester City got a respite from their recent troubles with a much-needed 3-1 win at Southampton on Sunday.
Two goals in three minutes late in the first half helped City end a rare two-match losing run.
It lifted the Premier League champions above Tottenham into second, seven points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of their showdown on Thursday.
“The performance was excellent we looked aggressive in retrieving the ball,” City captain Vincent Kompany told Sky Sports.
“We shouldn’t focus too much on points at the moment, we know if we can play to our potential we know we are a good team.
“Our pride has been hurt over the last few weeks but we have everything to play for and it depends on us.”
City, who had lost three of four in the league, made a fast start at Saint Mary’s Stadium through David Silva, only for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to equalize in the 37th minute.
After surviving a Southampton penalty appeal, the visitors regained control just before the break.
James Ward-Prowse’s own goal in the 45th minute put them back in front and Sergio Aguero adding insult to injury for the Saints with a stoppage-time header.
Aguero hit the crossbar in the second half, and Hojbjerg was then shown a red card for his lunching tackle on Fernandinho with five minutes left.
