MANCHESTER, England -- Fernandinho says Manchester City are "competing like animals" for the title after they moved back top of the Premier League with a win in the Manchester derby.
City moved a point clear of Liverpool with a 2-0 victory over United on Wednesday and with three games remaining, the title destiny remains in their own hands. Pep Guardiola's side have now won 11 successive games since January when they trailed Jurgen Klopp's side by seven points having played a game more.
Asked about their determination to win the Manchester derby and maintain control of their title defence, the Brazilian told reporters: "[It's] not just tonight, in general every game.
"Especially last Saturday after the [Champions League] 'defeat' against Tottenham, the way we played from the first minute.
"We showed the desire in competing for every ball like animals. I think this is the spirit of a team that wants to be champions."
Liverpool also had the chance to move 10 points clear of City by beating them at the start of the year, but lost 2-1 -- still their only defeat of the season. Fernandinho believes that win at the Etihad Stadium could prove decisive.
"If you look back to January, they could have been 10 points clear after our game," he added.
"We didn't want that. We reduced the gap to four points and now we are one point up. "That is the way the Premier League is going to be decided and I hope we can do our job and win those three games, and be champions again."
Liverpool have the chance to move back to the top with victory against Huddersfield on Friday, before City travel to Burnley on Sunday.
"Now we have three games to play, three finals, and we want to try to win those games," Fernandinho added. "Burnley are always difficult. They have a specific way to play and it is not easy to go there. They drew with Chelsea last Monday. It is always tough to go there.
"We have to recover as soon as possible and try to be fit and be ready. It is going to be a very important and a very difficult game for us."