Vincent Kompany has warned his Manchester City team-mates to take nothing for granted despite their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, winning their last 17 games in succession, and victory over Newcastle at St James Park on Wednesday would extend their lead over second-placed Manchester United to 15 points.
But the Belgium international, 31, says City should be mindful of Manchester United's collapse during the run-in to the 2011-12 Premier League campaign, and not assume the title is already wrapped up.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men were eight points clear of City with just six games remaining, but lost the title to City on goal difference to City on a dramatic final day of the season.
"I don't know if everyone will remember but it was six games left and we were eight points behind [on the way to winning the title in 2012], so that's why I am always the first to come in and say, 'No guys, we can't really take the foot off the gas'. I really don't want that," the City skipper said.
"We push, we push, we push, and no-one has the right to let their performance down or their guard down. It's the first time we have been ahead like this. Honestly, I don't feel too much difference, but it's a bit too early to draw any conclusions.
"But I do feel like we have been in much more high-pressure environments, [like] when we had to play United and we were three points behind. Those are the games that are completely different to any others you will play in your life. But at this moment in time we have got the chance.
"We are in a position where we can just focus on our football, not anything else, and winning the game and having the performance at the same time.
"It's a bit different, but the desire to win is there. I think we all have a role to say something and there are a lot of experienced players in the team.
"We do mention it but the manager will have mentioned it many times before as well. We all have that [winning] feeling and we don't want it to go away."
Premier League leaders Manchester City take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on New Year's Eve, a match which is live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport pack [kick off 12pm]