Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has praised his side's response to their dramatic 3-2 loss to local rivals Manchester United last weekend.

Robin van Persie's last-minute winner opened up a six-point gap between the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League, but City got back to winning ways immediately, beating Newcastle 3-1 earlier today.

Mancini was delighted with the win at St. James' Park but insisted that it didn't send a message to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson due to the number of games still left in the season.

"It's important because when you come from a defeat - any defeat, but particularly against United - it's important to start to win quickly, and we started here, where I don't think a lot of teams can win," said Mancini.

"The message is only for Christmas on December 25. The season is long. [Ferguson] knows football better than me. He knows that this championship is not finished when there are only three games to the end.

"Now that we have 24, 23 games to the end, it is open."

City moved back within three points of United with the win, but the Red Devils restored their six-point lead with a 3-1 win over Sunderland in their 3pm kickoff.