Elano continues to shine

Manchester City playmaker Elano won high praise from boss Sven-Goran Eriksson for his matchwinning performance in the 1-0 victory over Birmingham City.

The Brazil international returned from international duty to net the only goal of the game at Eastlands, having not trained following his return from South America in midweek.

Eriksson said: "We had a lot of players away and that is always difficult. You are not sure what shape they are in when they come back.

"Elano and Micah Richards had not done anything until the warm-up before the game.

"I asked Elano how he was. He said he was fine and that was the case.

"I was surprised at the way he shook off the jet-lag. He is a great player and is scoring important goals for us.

"The way he took the goal was something to be proud of. I believe Elano can get better, but if he goes on playing like this I will be happy."

Source: football.co.uk