Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis is expecting the Premier League title race to remain a tight contest to the end.
City lie third in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal and Leicester, after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Defender Demichelis feels the game was an opportunity missed - as Arsenal also drew at Liverpool on the same night - and hopes the ground can be made up quickly.
With City facing another stern test when they host Crystal Palace on Saturday, Demichelis said: "I think it was important Arsenal didn't win and we are just three points behind the leaders.
"We must continue the fight until the end and we have a lot of games to recover three points, but we need to win as soon as possible.
"Arsenal have a game at Stoke - it is a difficult game - so we have a chance to recover these three points. If we continue playing like in the second half I think we will win the next game and then the next."
City will feel they deserved victory against Everton after dominating the second half. They ended the game feeling aggrieved after Raheem Sterling was denied a late penalty following a tackle by John Stones.
Sergio Aguero also had two penalty appeals turned down by referee Roger East as well as twice forcing good saves from Everton keeper Tim Howard.
City could at least reflect on a strong defensive showing having struggled at the back in the continued absence of captain Vincent Kompany, but Demichelis, back in the side with Eliaquim Mangala also injured, and Nicolas Otamendi held firm for a second successive match.
The 35-year-old Demichelis added: "I think we tried everything to win the match but the goalkeeper for Everton and their complete team defended really well.
"So we are unhappy we didn't win, but the positive was we did not concede a goal. I think we are in a good way and we must continue playing as we did in the second half."