Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne has hailed the early season form of midfielder Simon Ireland.
"I think he's really enjoying his football," Dunne told City's website.
"He's been leading up to it now for the last three or four games and he's been improving with each one.
"I think the Portsmouth game just topped it off. With all the flair players around him he doesn't look out of place at all.
"The style of play that we are playing really suits him and the freedom that he's getting is right up his street. He's playing with a smile on his face and he looks like he's really enjoying it."