Saturday 6 May 2017 18:02, UK
Niall Quinn believes Manchester City's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace was a statement of intent in the Premier League top-four battle.
The victory sent City into third above Liverpool, who face Southampton on Nissan Super Sunday.
It also puts the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of their Super Sunday clash at the Emirates.
Pep Guardiola's side host Leicester and West Brom before ending the season at Watford and Quinn says they will be looking to finish strongly.
"There is an important set of games coming up and the three points make it even more difficult now for Arsenal and Manchester United to consider getting into that Champions League," Quinn told Sky Sports.
"They are pushing themselves further away and they will be thinking about challenging Liverpool for third.
"They have two home games coming up and the dressing room will be spot on for that.
"Another draw here and another drab performance would have sent the fans home disappointed. It would have given the others a chance.
"But they have been emphatic in posting their intention of finishing in the top three, never mind the top four."
City captain Vincent Kompany scored his first Etihad goal for nearly two years, firing home from 14 yards shortly after half-time.
He also believes their two home matches against Leicester and West Brom will be key in securing qualification for next season's Champions League.
"We wanted to set this chain of home games off right," Kompany told Sky Sports. "It couldn't have gone any better really, five goals and everyone is pleased.
"At the same time we need to repeat the performance in the next two games at home. That should put us in a good position for the Watford game on the last day."
David Silva opened the scoring before City added four second-half goals through Kompany, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Nicolas Otamendi.
But Quinn picked out the performance of Silva, who passed a late fitness test before netting his 50th City goal.
"I think Silva's role when the game was difficult - it was 1-0 for a long period - was superb because he was the pulse and the lifeblood of the team," Quinn added.
"Everything he did was so silky but so precise. It was so advanced and it was only a matter of time before something was going to come off.
"Eventually they opened up and killed off Palace."
