Rangers became the first side to go in front against City this season, thanks to Jay Bothroyd, and then levelled after the game had turned in City's favour with two goals either side of the break.

Even after Yaya Toure had headed home what turned out to be the winner QPR had chances, with Heidar Helguson hitting the bar and young striker Jamie Mackie failing to go down when Warnock felt he would have been granted a certain penalty.

It all led to a frustrating outcome for the QPR chief.

"It is a diabolical result," said Warnock.

"Football can be a cruel game sometimes. You do not get what you deserve.

"We have made three errors in 90 minutes against a side I would regard as the best in the world, and got punished every time.

"The performance probably surprised a few people, but I think we can get even better.

"I guess you have to take it on the chin. It is results like that that make them champions elect."

Warnock's frustration was understandable.

Probably more than any other side this season, certainly Manchester United, who conceded six to City at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, QPR made the Blues dig deep into their vast reserves.

After a lethargic first half hour, the visitors rallied through Edin Dzeko's 10th goal of the season before star man David Silva produced the moment of the match.

The man who may struggle to get a game for Spain against England next week had a number of options when Dzeko rolled a pass to him inside the box.

As the QPR defenders stood back and waited, Silva seized the initiative, darting on to the ball far too quickly for Danny Gabbidon, but with enough distance ahead of Anton Ferdinand to bury his shot into the home net.

Once in front, City were not to be headed a second time, with Toure finishing the game off to complete a remarkable 11-game tally of 31 points and 39 goals.

"The only time I have seen attacking like that is when I watch Barcelona on TV," said City assistant boss David Platt.

"We have won the game because we have scored three more goals. We feel as though there are goals in the team. Even at 1-0 down, even if it had gone to 2-0, I knew we were not out of it because we have such a goal threat about us."

City maintain a five-point advantage over Manchester United, and on current evidence it is difficult to see how that advantage will be lost.

However, as a former double winner himself, Platt knows the Blues can take nothing for granted.

"Things can change in an instant," he said.

"Five points is not many. The league is starting to take shape. Those teams up at the top, United, Chelsea and Arsenal, are starting to win games on a regular basis.

"Not many of those teams drop points, so we have to keep going."

Warnock is looking further ahead to January and the possibility of strengthening his squad, with funds likely to be invested by new owner Tony Fernandes.

However, he could only wistfully wonder at what might have been near the end.

"Any striker in this league will go down if they get touched," he said.

"Today, Mario Balotelli went down without being touched. But Jamie stayed on his feet.

"He's a young lad. He is just glad to be here, isn't he? Naive is what I would call it, amongst a few other things."