Pep Guardiola hailed his Manchester City players after they beat Liverpool 2-1 at the Etihad to breathe new life into the Premier League title race.
Strikes from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, either side of Roberto Firmino’s goal, inflicted a first defeat of the season on the leaders.
The result also saw the Citizens close the gap on the Reds to just four points and Guardiola was delighted with his side’s display.
Guardiola said: “It is one of the happiest days in my life and for my players.
“They [the players] are the artists, the people come to see them and we were together to achieve something unique.
“Most of the Premier League teams have fallen down [and failed to retain their Premier League title] and we are still there. That’s why I give a lot of credit to do what we have done.
“They showed how good they are playing against an incredible team.
“It was a final for us because lose and it was almost over. Now is tight again. Now rest and relax.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt the decision to show Vincent Kompany only a yellow card for his shin-high challenge on Mohamed Salah with the match still goalless was pivotal.
And he questioned just what kind of treatment the Egypt international would have to receive before opponents were severely punished.
“If Mo is on his feet – not in the moment when he jumps over him – we talk differently (about the outcome),” said Klopp, who first spoke about ‘needing blood’ after the treatment Salah received in Saturday’s win over Arsenal.
“That’s why I said last time, ‘Do we need blood? Do we need an open something?’ (wound).
“If Mo can go through (on goal), what happens then? I don’t blame anyone but in a situation like that, make a decision.”
Guardiola refused to be drawn into the row.
“The decision of the referee, you have to ask to the referee. One day in my life I speak quite well about the referee and I understand you can be banned,” he said.