Skipper Vincent Kompany says Manchester City side have ” a once in a lifetime opportunity” to win the title against rivals Manchester United after they reestablished their 16-point lead at the top of the table with triumph at Stoke.

David Silva scored the two goals at the relegation-threatened Potters to guarantee the Blues can secure the title at home to United on the off chance that they beat Everton first.

“Everybody in the blue side of Manchester knows it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Kompany. “But steady, it won’t be handed to us.”

Manager Pep Guardiola adopted an alternate strategy, recognizing his side would be champions “at some point or another” yet playing down the hugeness of fixing matters in a derby amusement.

Silva opened in Raheem Sterling’s cross to give Manchester City an early lead over Stoke before completing off a smooth passing move after the break.

Having whipped Stoke 7-2 in October, this is the first run through Manchester City have done the double over the Potters since the 1998-99 season, when the two clubs were in the third level.