Nigel de Jong hailed Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez after victory over Chelsea.

The Argentine striker has now scored 10 goals against Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool since the start of last season - proof that if ever there is a big-game player, it is City's new captain.

De Jong said: "I don't think there is a better big-game player at the moment to be honest with you.

"If you compare him with a lot of strikers in other teams, if you talk about Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, then I don't think there's anybody else who is better. He's the complete package.

"He's not the biggest player but he's so strong that you can't get him off the ball.

"You see how he fought in this game with John Terry and Alex, I mean, that's just unbelievable.

"Everybody praises him about scoring but his work-rate is just phenomenal.

"He's a great example for the rest of the Man City team. He's our captain at the moment and with good reason."