Fernandinho says he is delighted to have marked his return from injury with a convincing win against Stoke City.
David Silva scored either side of half-time to secure City’s 26th league win of the season and restore the gap to 16 points from Manchester United in second place.
And the Brazilian midfielder, starting after a two-game absence with a hamstring injury, believes the Premier League title is within touching distance – as long as City take it one game at a time.
“I missed a lot being with the boys and of course I am so happy to be back and feel well,” the 32-year-old said.
“We are happy to come here and win the game and play our style of football at what is of course a tough place to come and play good football.
“But we did it tonight and so we are happy for that. It is one more step to the title.
“You cannot deny that we’re close to winning the league but you have to keep working and keep focused and as we did since the first day, game by game step by step and working hard every day every week every game you’re going to get there.”
Silva’s wonderful brace were his eighth and ninth strikes of the campaign, and Fernandinho singled the Spaniard out for particular praise.
He added: “I am happy for him because he’s a nice guy, a good guy and he helps us a lot. He’s always showing his qualities in the team and now he’s giving assists and scoring goals.”
