Nuno Espirito Santo has urged his Wolverhampton Wanderers players to put their EFL Cup defeat to Manchester City behind them ahead of their trip to face Queens Park Rangers.

The Championship leaders pushed their opponents all the way at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, only coming unstuck at the end of a penalty shootout.

Nuno insists that Wolves can be more than happy with their run to the fourth-round stage, including the display produced against the continent's in-form side, but the Portuguese is now eager to quickly move on as his side continue their push for promotion to the Premier League.

"It was a good performance. First half, not so good. Second half and extra time – fantastic," he told reporters. "We knew what we were going to face, we had to realise their strengths and try to eliminate them and take advantage. It's a different approach.

"In the second half we realised we were able to play. And we controlled the game with our possession and chances. In the first half we didn't get enough time on the ball but the second half was totally different. The boys realised that they can play at the Etihad the way they train. They really did it, so well done to them.

"From the beginning of the season we knew the squad was taking care of this competition. Players who played today weren't in the starting XI for the Championship. It's about having a squad strong enough for the challenges we have. I always say it's about the squad, then the team, then the player. Each player has given me positive signs to consider other options in the future, it's good.

"It gives us the hunger to go to QPR and fight for what we want. Let's take the positives. It's over now, finished, the cup is closed on the Carabao Cup. We had a fantastic competition - won at Southampton, fought against Yeovil and Bristol Rovers and tonight. But it's over. Finished."

Defeat for Wolves was just their third in 17 outings in all competitions this season, having also lost to Cardiff City and Sheffield United in the league.