Manchester City defender John Stones hailed the performance of matchwinner Kevin de Bruyne after victory over Chelsea.

De Bruyne was the difference in a tense match as he picked the ball up with 20 minutes remaining and evaded N'Golo Kante's desperate tackle before bending an excellent shot into the bottom corner.

Stones was full of praise for the brilliant Belgian as well as the team's defensive display: "We worked all week on our shape and how we shift across as a back four. We know the threat they have got with Lukaku and the other players that run in behind.

"We worked on that and in these games I think a lot of it comes down to your concentration and being in the right areas on the ball in every opportunity.

"Those are the fine margins in this game when you've got such a strike force against you.

"It is a game of chess at times and down in Stamford Bridge when we played them earlier this season it was similar. We had to keep grinding away, not get too disheartened if things weren't going our way, keep probing and moving the ball quickly like we did today.

"And when Kevin goes and pops one in for us it makes things a lot better.

“He has popped up with so many great goals and that is the ability that Kev has got. It is incredible to play with him and have him in our team and it is great for him to get on the scoresheet as well."