Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis expects the Premier League title race to remain a tight contest until the end.
City are third in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal, after being held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Demichelis, 35, 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.
City face another test of their credentials as 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 as soon as possible to win.
"Arsenal have a game at Stoke [on Sunday] -- it is a difficult game -- so we have a chance to recover these three points. If we continue playing like in the second half [against Everton] 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 penalty in injury time after appearing to be fouled by John Stones.
Sergio Aguero also had two penalty appeals turned down by referee Roger East, as well as twice forcing good saves from Tim Howard.
Everton goalkeeper Howard also kept out efforts from Yaya Toure, Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne in an impressive display.
The Toffees' best chances came in a more evenly contested first half with Gerard Deulofeu testing Joe Hart and Leon Osman volleying narrowly wide.
City could at least reflect on a strong defensive showing. The team have 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 game.
Demichelis said: "I think we tried everything to win the match but the goalkeeper for Everton and their complete team defended really well.
"We tried everything to win three points, so we are unhappy we didn't win, but the positive was we did not concede any goal. I think we are in a good way and we must continue playing [as we did] in the second half."