James Milner feels Man City have taken lessons from disappointing Christmas results to get their title bid back on course.
City midfielder hails 'character and ability' in dressing room
Midfielder James Milner feels Manchester City have taken lessons from disappointing Christmas results to get their Premier League title bid back on course.
City's previously strong grip on the top spot was loosened as they were held at West Brom and beaten at Sunderland over the festive period.
But Roberto Mancini's men put those frustrations behind them on their return to the Etihad Stadium, where they are unbeaten since December 2010, as they comfortably saw off Liverpool 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Important
Milner, scorer of the third goal, told
City TV: "It was an important game for us.
"We had a couple of disappointing results over the Christmas period. We know it is a critical time over any season and (we needed) to get the momentum back.
"We set our standards very high and the first half was not good enough the other day. We probably still did enough in the second half to win it but it is a learning curve.
"We need to make sure we learn from those sort of experiences and I think it shows how much character and ability there is in the dressing room that we can come back 48 hours later."
City had been expected to win comfortably at The Hawthorns but were frustrated as a well-organised West Brom side defended deeply and claimed a goalless draw.
The Sunderland game was heading for a similar outcome until the Black Cats broke away in injury-time to snatch a winner through Ji Dong-won.
Milner, who turns 26 today, said: "The manager was obviously very disappointed with us but no more so than we were as individuals and as a team.
Good start
"We didn't quite have the luck over the last two games but last night it was good to get off to a good start.
"We kept the pressure on, defended very well and got a very good victory."
Milner was pleased with the result against the Reds, adding: "Liverpool are a very good side, you can see that from the side they put out and the players they brought on off the bench.
"They have got quality all over the field and it was always going to be tough."
