Yaya Toure calls for Manchester City 'toughness'

Yaya Toure has insisted that the heartbreak suffered in tasting Manchester derby defeat has made City more determined to retain their Premier League title.

After coming from two goals down to level the scores, the Citizens were defeated by fierce rivals United courtesy of Robin van Persie's stoppage-time free kick.

The result has given the Red Devils a six-point advantage over Roberto Mancini's side, but Toure believes that City have the character to bounce back from their disappointment and push United all the way for the championship.

"This makes us more determined to win it," Toure said. "We are tough men, and when things get difficult, that is when you find the tough men.

"We have to realise that sometimes you have a bad time. When you are at the top everybody wants to take you down. We have to be strong and work harder to turn this around.

"Last year was fantastic. But we have to forget what we have done in the past. This year will be hard but we have a fantastic squad and we have the confidence to keep going until the final day."

City finished above their cross-city rivals for the first time in 21 years when they won the Premier League last season.