Swansea City boss Garry Monk says Chico Flores is revelling in his 'villain' tag.
The defender scored in their 1-1 draw with Stoke City.
Monk said: "He was my man of the match. I thought he was absolutely magnificent, a rock, solid.
"Everything you want from a defender he gave it, and the goal was a bonus on top. It was a great header.
"I thought he was everything, he really led well from the back.
"When you see someone like that it gives the team a lift, and the players at the back need someone like that next to them because it then elevates their game.
"And especially with the way the crowd were with him from the first minute. I thought it inspired him more than anything."
The Stoke fans often booed Chico, which caught Monk by surprise, adding: "I didn't really expect it. But if he can play like that then keep doing it. The more they do it and he plays like that, then great."
Asked whether Chico had been unfairly vilified of late, Monk said: "We all love a villain, and he'll probably like it, as we saw here.
"He stuck to his game, didn't let it affect him, kept it simple, and I thought he was a Colossus at the back for us.
"As for the rest, Chico's big enough to deal with anything. He's going to get stick for this and that.
"If there are certain things I have to chat with him about, then I will, but he's his own man, and he's old enough to know when he's made mistakes and if he's not behaving correctly."