Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure admits family loyalties are being stretched to the limit after the title race took another potentially decisive turn.

City's 3-2 win at Everton put them in control of their own destiny and meant Toure's brother Kolo and his Liverpool side - favourites for the championship before last weekend - are unlikely to win it without help from other teams.

The Reds play their penultimate match of the season at Crystal Palace on Monday night and, while victory there would take them three points clear at the top of the table, City have two games still to play and a superior goal difference.

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"Oh yes, it's been really difficult. You can't imagine how difficult," Yaya Toure said of the fight within the family.

"Your family have to try to be balanced - they are divided. Sport is unbelievable in that it can break hearts.

"If it is my brother who wins it I would still be happy for him. It would be amazing for him.

"But whatever I'm doing I always try to win - I've always been the same. I will only lose if someone is better than us.

"But it's still so tight - Liverpool still have a chance and so do Chelsea - they beat us twice, don't forget. It's going to be exciting.

"The family don't want to choose a side. We don't know how it will end.

"They just say 'the best team will win it'. They know that both teams have the quality to do it so let's wait and see."

City have been here before, of course - famously winning the title on goal difference with virtually the final kick of the 2011-12 season.

That experience will stand Manuel Pellegrini's side in good stead as they seek the two wins at home to Aston Villa and West Ham which should clinch a second title in three years.

Asked whether City would be happy to win it by a similarly tight margin again, Toure added: "Of course we would. We know at this club how important goal difference is.

"But I don't want to live through something like that again. We had QPR at home when it was almost too much for my heart. Going right to the last minute - it was unbelievable.

"I think the supporters would say like me that we don't want to live through that again. I hope this time, in these two games, we can make a difference earlier and get the wins early.

"Aston Villa and West Ham are coming. We need to be sharp. We need to be ready.

"We need to be well prepared for these games and not make it so close as last time.

"But we cannot just think we will finish on top. Premier League games are always tight, always difficult.

"Even if teams are defending they can go on the counter-attack and score goals.

"We are aware of that but with the players we have and the experience we have of 2012 we can keep on going - we are just two games away."

Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester City: The latest match pictures Show all 70 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester City: The latest match pictures 1/70 Manchester City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 James Milner of Manchester City scores his team's second goal to take a 2-1 lead Getty Images 2/70 Manchester City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal Getty Images 3/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Yaya Toure rounds off the scoring for City after a superb solo run GETTY IMAGES 4/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Stevan Jovetic celebrates after getting on the score sheet with City's third GETTY IMAGES 5/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Samir Nasri misses a good chance for City GETTY IMAGES 6/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri celebrate with Edin Dzeko after his second goal of the night GETTY IMAGES 7/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko celebrates after putting City in front GETTY IMAGES 8/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko wheels away after opening the scoring for City GETTY IMAGES 9/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko scores the opening goal past Brad Guzan GETTY IMAGES 10/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Joe Hart prepares himself for the game GETTY IMAGES 11/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero fires home City's equaliser GETTY IMAGES 12/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero dribbles past John Stones GETTY IMAGES 13/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Ross Barkley celebrates after opening the scoring with a superb strike GETTY IMAGES 14/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Jason Puncheon is challenged by Aleksandar Kolarov GETTY IMAGES 15/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Referee Howard Webb looks on as Samir Nasri shields the ball from Mile Jedinak and Adrian Mariappa GETTY IMAGES 16/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 17/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure finishes in style after a powerful run to put City two in front GETTY IMAGES 18/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Marouane Chamakh is upended by Pablo Zabaleta GETTY IMAGES 19/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko celebrates after breaking the deadlock within five minutes and giving City the lead GETTY IMAGES 20/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko heads home City's opener GETTY IMAGES 21/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Samir Nasri clutches his shirt and looks to the heavens after missing the chance to rescue a victory for Manchester City Getty Images 22/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Vito Mannone fails to keep out Samir Nasri's late strike as the midfielder equalises for City Getty Images 23/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for the second time Getty Images 24/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Connor Wickham scores to pull Sunderland back into the tie Getty Images 25/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Fernandinho gives Manchester City the lead with a second-minute striker past Vito Mannone Getty Images 26/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Philippe Coutinho fires in Liverpool's winner 27/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 David Silva pulls one back for Manchester City 28/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Martin Skrtel heads in Liverpool's second 29/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Raheem Sterling celebrates his opening goal with Luis Suarez 30/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Stevan Jovetic is congratulated by Samir Nasri after scoring City's fourth GETTY IMAGES 31/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Joe Hart makes a diving save GETTY IMAGES 32/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Edin Dzeko celebrates with David Silva after scoring City's third just before halftime GETTY IMAGES 33/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Edin Dzeko heads in a goal to give City a 3-1 lead GETTY IMAGES 34/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Samir Nasri celebrates with his teammates after putting City back in front GETTY IMAGES 35/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Southampton players celebrate after Rickie Lambert's equaliser from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 36/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Rickie Lambert fires home a penalty to bring Southampton level GETTY IMAGES 37/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 England attacker Jay Rodriguez is injured and has to go off on a stretcher GETTY IMAGES 38/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Yaya Toure puts City ahead from the spot GETTY IMAGES 39/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Referee Chris Foy points to the penalty spot after Edin Dzeko is brought down GETTY IMAGES 40/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Edin Dzeko can't believe his that deflected effort goes wide GETTY IMAGES 41/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates his equaliser for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 42/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates after putting Arsenal level GETTY IMAGES 43/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Olivier Giroud remonstrates with referee Mike Dean GETTY IMAGES 44/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mikel Arteta plays the ball past Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 45/70 Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1 Tomas Rosicky battles for the ball with Yaya Toure GETTY IMAGES 46/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Martin Demichelis confronts Tomas Rosicky after the Arsenal player's tackle leaves Gael Clichy injured GETTY IMAGES 47/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 The Arsenal players walk back to half way line looking dejected after conceding the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 48/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Edin Dzeko celebrate after the Spaniard's opening goal GETTY IMAGES 49/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Yaya Toure holds off Santi Cazorla GETTY IMAGES 50/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho holds off the challenge of Mathieu Flamini GETTY IMAGES 51/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Edin Dzeko celebrates one of his two goals at Old Trafford - both of which came early at the start of each half Getty Images 52/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 David De Gea looks dejected after conceding to Manchester City 53/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Marouane Fellaini is taken off, much to the delight of United fans after another abject performance 54/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 England team-mates Joe Hart and Dnny Welbeck come together 55/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Jesus Navas sees his cross blocked by Patrice Evra AP 56/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure sweeps in his side's third goal late in the match Getty Images 57/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Martin Demichelis rounds off the scoring for City GETTY IMAGES 58/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Yaya Toure celebrates his second goal of the afternoon GETTY IMAGES 59/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Yaya Toure converts his first penalty GETTY IMAGES 60/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko celebrates with David Silva and Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 61/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko scores City's second GETTY IMAGES 62/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 George Boyd and Joe Hart have to be separated after a bust up GETTY IMAGES 63/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 David Silva celebrates his opening goal GETTY IMAGES 64/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Vincent Kompany receives a red card for a tackle on Nikica Jelavic GETTY IMAGES 65/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Gerard Pique goes up for a head with Vincent Kompany Getty Images 66/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Lionel Messi celebrates after opening the scoring in this Champions League second-leg match Getty Images 67/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart saves at the feet of Cesc Fabregas EPA 68/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Aleksandar Kolarov does his best to stop Neymar AP 69/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero pictured at the Nou Camp Getty Images 70/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 David Silva in action at the Nou Camp Getty Images 1/70 Manchester City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 James Milner of Manchester City scores his team's second goal to take a 2-1 lead Getty Images 2/70 Manchester City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal Getty Images 3/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Yaya Toure rounds off the scoring for City after a superb solo run GETTY IMAGES 4/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Stevan Jovetic celebrates after getting on the score sheet with City's third GETTY IMAGES 5/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Samir Nasri misses a good chance for City GETTY IMAGES 6/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri celebrate with Edin Dzeko after his second goal of the night GETTY IMAGES 7/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko celebrates after putting City in front GETTY IMAGES 8/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko wheels away after opening the scoring for City GETTY IMAGES 9/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Edin Dzeko scores the opening goal past Brad Guzan GETTY IMAGES 10/70 Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0 Joe Hart prepares himself for the game GETTY IMAGES 11/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero fires home City's equaliser GETTY IMAGES 12/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero dribbles past John Stones GETTY IMAGES 13/70 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Ross Barkley celebrates after opening the scoring with a superb strike GETTY IMAGES 14/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Jason Puncheon is challenged by Aleksandar Kolarov GETTY IMAGES 15/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Referee Howard Webb looks on as Samir Nasri shields the ball from Mile Jedinak and Adrian Mariappa GETTY IMAGES 16/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 17/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure finishes in style after a powerful run to put City two in front GETTY IMAGES 18/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Marouane Chamakh is upended by Pablo Zabaleta GETTY IMAGES 19/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko celebrates after breaking the deadlock within five minutes and giving City the lead GETTY IMAGES 20/70 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko heads home City's opener GETTY IMAGES 21/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Samir Nasri clutches his shirt and looks to the heavens after missing the chance to rescue a victory for Manchester City Getty Images 22/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Vito Mannone fails to keep out Samir Nasri's late strike as the midfielder equalises for City Getty Images 23/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for the second time Getty Images 24/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Connor Wickham scores to pull Sunderland back into the tie Getty Images 25/70 Manchester City 2 Sunderland 2 Fernandinho gives Manchester City the lead with a second-minute striker past Vito Mannone Getty Images 26/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Philippe Coutinho fires in Liverpool's winner 27/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 David Silva pulls one back for Manchester City 28/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Martin Skrtel heads in Liverpool's second 29/70 Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2 Raheem Sterling celebrates his opening goal with Luis Suarez 30/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Stevan Jovetic is congratulated by Samir Nasri after scoring City's fourth GETTY IMAGES 31/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Joe Hart makes a diving save GETTY IMAGES 32/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Edin Dzeko celebrates with David Silva after scoring City's third just before halftime GETTY IMAGES 33/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Edin Dzeko heads in a goal to give City a 3-1 lead GETTY IMAGES 34/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Samir Nasri celebrates with his teammates after putting City back in front GETTY IMAGES 35/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Southampton players celebrate after Rickie Lambert's equaliser from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 36/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Rickie Lambert fires home a penalty to bring Southampton level GETTY IMAGES 37/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 England attacker Jay Rodriguez is injured and has to go off on a stretcher GETTY IMAGES 38/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Yaya Toure puts City ahead from the spot GETTY IMAGES 39/70 Manchester City 4 Southampton 1 Referee Chris Foy points to the penalty spot after Edin Dzeko is brought down GETTY IMAGES 40/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Edin Dzeko can't believe his that deflected effort goes wide GETTY IMAGES 41/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates his equaliser for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 42/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates after putting Arsenal level GETTY IMAGES 43/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Olivier Giroud remonstrates with referee Mike Dean GETTY IMAGES 44/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mikel Arteta plays the ball past Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 45/70 Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1 Tomas Rosicky battles for the ball with Yaya Toure GETTY IMAGES 46/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Martin Demichelis confronts Tomas Rosicky after the Arsenal player's tackle leaves Gael Clichy injured GETTY IMAGES 47/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 The Arsenal players walk back to half way line looking dejected after conceding the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 48/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Edin Dzeko celebrate after the Spaniard's opening goal GETTY IMAGES 49/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Yaya Toure holds off Santi Cazorla GETTY IMAGES 50/70 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho holds off the challenge of Mathieu Flamini GETTY IMAGES 51/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Edin Dzeko celebrates one of his two goals at Old Trafford - both of which came early at the start of each half Getty Images 52/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 David De Gea looks dejected after conceding to Manchester City 53/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Marouane Fellaini is taken off, much to the delight of United fans after another abject performance 54/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 England team-mates Joe Hart and Dnny Welbeck come together 55/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Jesus Navas sees his cross blocked by Patrice Evra AP 56/70 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure sweeps in his side's third goal late in the match Getty Images 57/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Martin Demichelis rounds off the scoring for City GETTY IMAGES 58/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Yaya Toure celebrates his second goal of the afternoon GETTY IMAGES 59/70 Manchester City 5 Fulham 0 Yaya Toure converts his first penalty GETTY IMAGES 60/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko celebrates with David Silva and Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 61/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Edin Dzeko scores City's second GETTY IMAGES 62/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 George Boyd and Joe Hart have to be separated after a bust up GETTY IMAGES 63/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 David Silva celebrates his opening goal GETTY IMAGES 64/70 Hull 0 Manchester City 2 Vincent Kompany receives a red card for a tackle on Nikica Jelavic GETTY IMAGES 65/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Gerard Pique goes up for a head with Vincent Kompany Getty Images 66/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Lionel Messi celebrates after opening the scoring in this Champions League second-leg match Getty Images 67/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart saves at the feet of Cesc Fabregas EPA 68/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Aleksandar Kolarov does his best to stop Neymar AP 69/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero pictured at the Nou Camp Getty Images 70/70 Barcelona 2 Manchester City 1 David Silva in action at the Nou Camp Getty Images

Last weekend Toure missed out on the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award after it went to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who has 30 league goals this season.

The Ivory Coast international, who has scored 19 league goals from midfield, claimed in the lead-up to the ceremony African players were undervalued and if he was South American he would have received far more recognition.

So was he disappointed not to have won the PFA award?

"To be honest I was, because I'm a competitor," he said.

"But as well, Suarez had an excellent season. He was also very good. It was well deserved from him.

"The most important thing is trophies for the team. We always remind each other of that. It's not only me - we have a few players."

PA

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