Nigel de Jong claims Manchester City's blip against Everton will be forgotten because their Champions League destiny is still in their hands.
City missed the chance to seize control of the race for fourth place in the Premier League as the Toffees won 2-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday.
It was City's first home defeat of the season but De Jong feels they have a good opportunity to get the result out of their systems as they tackle Wigan and Burnley next week. '
The Dutchman said: "It was not the end of the world.
"We are behind Tottenham but we have got them at home as well.
"We have got everything in our own hands and it starts Monday against Wigan.
"You have got to be realistic - it is not going to be an easy game. "Every game for us is a final now. Everybody wants to beat City.
"But we have got to get the six points from these two games to make a huge step towards getting fourth."
Wigan travel to the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday before the Burnley clash at Turf Moor the following weekend.
Manager Roberto Mancini is also well aware that City are still in control of their own fate.
The Italian hopes by approaching all eight of their remaining games as Champions League finals the club could actually qualify for the European elite competition for real. Mancini, whose job is thought likely to be under threat if he fails to finish in the top four, said: "I just want the players to treat every game like it's a Champions League final and always give 200% for the team.
"This is the only way we can improve and get to where we want to be. "In many ways, our destiny is still in our own hands."
Mancini was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his extraordinary touchline confrontation with Everton boss David Moyes.
The pair went face to face late in the game after Mancini took exception to Moyes catching the ball - an action he considered to be time-wasting.
He has until April 6 to respond to the charge. The FA have also written to Moyes to warn him about his future conduct. City, meanwhile, have handed a new four-year contract to 19-year-old Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata.
The academy graduate has caught the eye after breaking into the first team since the appointment of Mancini in December.
