Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was "very happy" after his side's 4-1 win away at Stoke City.
After a number of below-par performances, the Citizens were back at their very best as they produced a brilliant offensive display at the Britannia.
With Chelsea also taking all three points on Wednesday night, the wins means City stay seven points from the top ahead of the home game against Newcastle United.
"I'm very happy because we returned to our normal game this evening," Pellegrini said.
"I thought we played well in the first-half, but we were back to our best in the second period and scored three goals and could have had a couple more.
"This is not an easy ground to come to so to score four goals is fantastic especially as we had only scored one goal in our last three matches with them.
"The most important thing was to win, but it is even better that we won in the style we did.
"We can't worry about what Chelsea do - obviously it is better for us if they drop points, but the most important thing is that we returned to our normal selves again with the Champions League coming up."
The Chilean was also quick to reassure the fans that Sergio Aguero's back problem should not be as serious as initially feared.
"It was important for Kun to score tonight," Pellegrini said.
"The games he plays, the better he will get - he felt a problem with his back towards the end but I don't think it is serious. We will know more tomorrow."
