Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the race for the Premiership title is entering a crucial stage.
The Gunners recorded a 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium to move up to third in the table - with a match in hand on both leaders Manchester United and Chelsea.
With crucial fixtures between the main protagonists - Liverpool are now some 14 points off the pace - to come before the turn of the year, Wenger feels it will not be long before things heat up at top.
"In a few weeks we know more, because Chelsea play Manchester United and after that we play Chelsea," said the Arsenal manager.
"There will be a little marathon, because we have the Champions League as well and those who survive that period will be the favourite and number one."
Wenger declared: "Part of a big season is to beat the big teams. We have won at Manchester United and we have beaten Liverpool at home.
"We are a very young team and we have to learn to put that kind of effort into every game and have that kind of focus in every game.
"The quicker we learn that the better chance we have to achieve something at the end of the season."
The Gunners had endured a difficult spell of late, frustratingly failing to kill off teams both at home and in Europe and then there was the fall-out from Wenger's touchline bust-up at Upton Park.
But there were no such problems when goals from Mathieu Flamini, Kolo Toure and William Gallas secured a sixth Premiership win to keep alive at least slim hopes of eventually overhauling the leaders.
"We needed a reaction," said Wenger. "Seasons are decided by the quality of response your team can give after an unexpected and bit unlucky defeat at West Ham."
The Arsenal boss added: "We played against a good Liverpool side, and the first goal made the difference."
As to his altercation with West Ham boss Alan Pardew, which has resulted in a Football Association charge, Wenger has admitted regret.
"I reacted and I regret that because you should never react, but I accept his apologies and life goes on.
"I have not spoken to Alan Pardew or anyone else about the matter since it happened and I will not especially demand a hearing because, for me, the incident is over."