Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong admits that he and his team-mates are disappointed to have lost their unbeaten home record to Everton, but that they must now pick themselves up quickly.

Aston Villa drawing at home to Sunderland last night meant the defeat was not perhaps as damaging to City’s top-four hopes as it could have been.

With rivals Tottenham Hotspur still to be played and Roberto Mancini’s men still ahead of Liverpool in the table, De Jong insists that a positive mindset is essential.

“If you lose 2-0 at home, I mean that’s a disappointing result, especially at home because we know how strong we are at home,” De Jong told City’s official website.

“Everton are a good side and you have to credit them but they got two chances and they scored two goals.

“[There were] a lot of disappointing decisions, especially in the first half when it was 1-0 for Everton.

“Disappointing decisions from the referee and then we’re walking behind the fact that you’re 1-0 behind.

“It was a difficult game, especially in the second half, to create something.

“It’s not the end of the world. That’s the only positive about tonight is that Villa dropped points as well, and we’re still two points in front of Liverpool with a game in hand.

“But we’re two points behind Tottenham, but we’ve got Tottenham [to play] at home as well, that’s a positive thing about it.

“Everything is in our own hands. It starts Monday against Wigan Athletic at home.”

City manager Roberto Mancin was sent to the stands along with Everton gaffer David Moyes for a touchline incident late in the game.

De Jong acknowledges that it was a sign of just how much the game meant to City.

“The mood wasn’t so good because we lost the game, at home as well,” he added.

“It was a very emotional game, you could see it at the end also with the gaffer.

“There was a lot for us in it. If we’d taken those three points today it would have been a massive step for fourth place.”

goal