Yaya Toure has praised his Manchester City teammates for responding to their critics by beating Manchester United at Eastlands on Sunday.

Sergio Aguero struck the only goal of the game as Manuel Pellegrini's side earned a much-needed tonic after back-to-back defeats against West Ham United and Newcastle United.

City had also spurned a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, and Toure says that he and his teammates are now getting their groove back.

"We proved we are a strong team," he told reporters at full time. "We needed to bounce back and I think we played very well."

United defender Chris Smalling saw red at the Etihad Stadium after picking up two yellow cards in the space eight first-half minutes, before Aguero found the breakthrough shortly after the hour mark.

Victory helped Pellegrini's troops stay within six points of leaders Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.