Adam Johnson got the nod for man of the match last night from both Sky and the wise old heads at mcfc.co.uk, and he's also earning plaudits across the back pages of the nation's newspapers.

The Mirror's David Anderson, who knows talent when he sees it, heralds what he sees as "a real throwback to the days of old fashioned wingers. He produced a classic display of flank play as he repeatedly beat Paul Robinson for pace and skill, getting to the byline and putting over an excellent supply of crosses."

Over in the Telegraph, Henry Winter agrees with red-top his counterpart, saying: "His clever movement and passing shone throughout until he departed to a standing ovation and man-of-the-match honours. Johnson started as the forward point of Mancini’s diamond but the system was too narrow, too reliant for width on full-backs who lack the requisite pedigree. Only when Mancini switched Johnson to the right midway through the first half did City look a threat.

"Almost immediately, Johnson embarked on a clever dribble down the flank, the surge demonstrating the full range of his qualities. First, Johnson paraded his pace, racing away from Jack Wilshere. Then he revealed the tricks in his locker, a couple of step-overs bringing a foul in the box from Paul Robinson."

But it wouldn't be a normal midweek without a bit of transfer talk, and the Star says that we are in competition with Chelsea to secure the services of Barcelona's Brazilian right-back Dani Alves. It is reckoned that, "His contract runs out in 2012 and Chelsea want to try and use that to lure him to Stamford Bridge. The problem is that City need a right-back themselves. Reports in Spain suggest that both clubs have been in touch with the Brazilian’s agent and they are prepared to better his £100,000-a-week wages."