Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson says match-winner Michael Johnson is the real deal. Johnson's goal was enough for victory over Derby last night and Eriksson beamed: "It was a beautiful goal. It is always good to see a home-grown player do well.

"The people who work in the academy deserve a lot of praise for the way they have brought on the likes of Johnson, Ireland and Richards. Johnson is a very fresh boy but for his age he is also very clever.

"He can pass the ball, he can defend and he has a good engine. But above all, he is just a very good player."