Joleon Lescott praises Manchester City's defence
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has spoken highly of his team's defence, saying that Vincent Kompany has been the best player in the Premier League this season.
City's 2–1 win over Newcastle United at the weekend saw Roberto Mancini's team advance to second in the league table, four points behind leaders Chelsea with four wins, two draws and one loss.
The team has let in five goals in seven games so far, a record that Lescott praised when speaking to the club's official website.
"We've been so tight at the back, and Vincent and Kolo [Toure] are playing exceptionally well," said Lescott, adding that Kompany was due more praise than he has received.
"Vinny has been the stand-out player so far this season, not just for City, but in the whole Premier League. Sometimes, he doesn't get enough credit for what he's done in a match, he just goes about his job and makes it look so easy."
Kompany, who was voted man of the match in City's crucial 1–0 win over Chelsea at the City of Manchester Stadium, transferred to City from Hamburger SV in 2008.
The Belgian has since made 82 starting appearances for City. This season, he has featured in all of City's league and European fixtures, providing much-needed defensive continuity for the ascending team.
Defensive players get less credit
Lescott, who spent much of last season injured on the sidelines, added that City's lavish spending on attacking players has taken attention away from the defensive toilers in the squad.
"Fans and pundits might look more towards the goalscorers, but the pros and the people who know look at players like Vince, Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry for the work they do off the ball that is vital to the team."
City travel to face newcomers Blackpool after the international break, where they will look to close the gap to Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.
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