Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne has won praise for his performance in Sunday's derby victory at Old Trafford.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson told the club's website: "It was very close. Only on the morning of the game we knew he would play.

"Richard didn't go to the hotel on Saturday night, he was in bed and had a fever and a bad throat. The doctor went to see him and on Saturday night I thought he would not play.

"But at 10am on Sunday morning he turned up and said: 'I'm ready.' That's fantastic - that's the captain. He was incredible during the game and he was all over the pitch.

"It's right to talk about the captain, although we shouldn't just talk about individuals, but all of them. It was a huge task they performed out there together and they helped each other with a lot of spirit."

Another player who covered every blade of grass again and opened the scoring was Darius Vassell.

Of his skipper, he added: "You can't knock him for anything. He's a great leader and a great captain.

"To go out there and play with him in the team is a great boost to any of the players. All credit to him, he did well at Old Trafford and was a rock at the back, as usual.

"He's Mr Reliable, I know that, but it takes some doing."