Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is adamant he takes no satisfaction from seeing the Eagles jump above his former club Newcastle in the Premier League this season.
Palace sat in the relegation zone and 10 points behind Newcastle when Pardew arrived at Selhurst Park in January but a 2-1 win at Stoke last weekend saw the Eagles climb one point above the Magpies in the table.
Pardew's four years in charge on Tyneside were undermined by the club selling their most talented players and the fans regularly calling for him to be sacked.
The Palace boss insists, however, he harbours no ill-feeling towards his former team.
"I think my record at Newcastle speaks for itself," Pardew said. "I was manager of the year there just three or four years ago so I don't need to talk about that.
"It gives me no satisfaction, and I mean that with all of my heart, that we are above them.
"I can understand why some of the media would think that because of the way I left the football club, but the fact is the results we have had here have been terrific and I am really pleased with the progress the club is making.
"That's what your focus is as a manager. You don't look back."
Palace host Manchester City on Monday, looking to record their fourth win in five league matches.
The Eagles still have four of the table's top five teams to play, however, and Pardew has challenged his side to carry their form against the lower teams into a game against one of the bigger sides.
"One of the important games this season was against Arsenal when we tried to compete with them toe to toe and gave a very good account of ourselves against a top team," Pardew said.
"We have done very well against the teams that are in and around us and played well in those games.
"Against the top teams -- Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal -- we have been really close without toppling any of them.
"So that is the next step for me and we have a great opportunity because we also have Man United as well as City at home and Chelsea and Liverpool away. One of those games I would like to think we can win."
City are hoping to close a six-point gap on league leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand.
Palace lost 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season but Pardew is optimistic his players can surprise the reigning champions.
"We will go on Monday night expecting to take the game to Man City," Pardew added. "I don't expect to beat them but I do expect us to push Man City and if we get ourselves in front this team could see it out.
"If we get to 15 minutes to go and are still leading, this team is one of the few that could see Man City off."