Everton boss Dave Moyes says defender Joleon Lescott has taken his game to a new level this season.
"You should be applauding him from coming out of the lower leagues and into the England team.
"He is a good player - one of the top defenders in the Premier League."
Lescott played at left-back against City but is also at home at the heart of the defence.
He has also taken advantage of being given a licence to get forward and weighed in with eight goals.
Moyes said: "It is incredible really but good centre halves score 10 goals a season in my book.
"They come up from free-kicks and set pieces like Joleon and he is coming close to reaching that tally."