Micah Richards admits the Manchester City dressing room was cock-a-hoop after their victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

"It was like we had won the Champions League final! It was great, and good to see a smile back on the lads' faces after a disappointing season last season," he said.

"With the two wins under our belts we had the confidence, and the gaffer just told us to go out and play like we had in previous games. Once you are out there and the whistle goes, the adrenalin starts pumping and it's a nice feeling to be out on the pitch."

The City star also told mcfc.co.uk: "It's none conceded as well! That's a big thing for Dunnie and me after the game, we got the goal but to keep the clean sheet was as important as well. It's nice to be back to winning ways, but now we definitely have the players to do it.

"It's a good time to go away on an international break, but we have Arsenal next week and I don't want to come back too tired if I start for England. I hope we can take Sunday's game into next week as well."

No one inside the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday will forget the noise generated all afternoon, and Micah saluted the Blues' supporters.

"The only other time I've heard it like that was against Arsenal last season, when we won 1-0, but today was extra special because it was the derby."