Manchester City superstar David Silva is confident this season's Premier League title can be the next step on a path to sustained glory.
Victories at Newcastle on Sunday and against QPR at the Etihad Stadium seven days later should be enough to secure City's first league championship since 1968.
It would follow on from the FA Cup triumph last term, which was the club's first silverware for 35 years.
And, with the squad Roberto Mancini has assembled at the Etihad Stadium, Silva is confident there will be much more to come.
"I hope it can," said the Spain midfielder.
"Last year we won the FA Cup and qualified for the Champions League.
"This year we are challenging for the title. Let's see. Hopefully we can win the title, then next year we can challenge for the Champions League."
The last four games have sparked a staggering reversal in fortunes.
From being eight points adrift and apparently in chaos following that loss at Arsenal, City have reeled off four straight wins, whilst United have managed just one victory.
It has given the Blues the ascendancy, which even Silva conceded was unlikely as he left the Emirates.
"There was never a point when we totally gave up on the league but we did get to a point when we knew it was very difficult," he said.
"All we could do was keep working and get three points after three points.
"I am surprised to see United taking an eight-point lead and then giving it up but don't forget we had a massive lead and lost it. It's a very long and competitive season and now we are here we have to finish the job."
Roberto Mancini's method of approaching the task of clawing United back was to continue insisting Sir Alex Ferguson's men would win the title.
It was an increasingly implausible stance but it reached ludicrous proportions on Monday night when the Italian continued to insist the Red Devils were favourites despite the league table indicating something completely different.
Yet there is method in the madness, with Silva confirming the pressure that looked to be weighing City down so badly, has now been removed.
"Perhaps Roberto has deflected the pressure from us by saying the title is over," he said.
"He has certainly taken it off the players which has really helped because the pressure is always there between Manchester United and City."
