Everton boss Dave Moyes says defender Joleon Lescott has taken his game to a new level this season.

"If anything Joleon has grown in stature, " said the Everton boss. "This is a boy who came from Wolves and hadn't played in the Premier League.

"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."