'What a performer!': Gary Neville heaps praise on Fernandinho

Gary Neville heaped praise on Fernandinho as the Brazilian lifted the Premier League trophy in his final act as a Manchester City player. 

The 37-year-old will depart City this summer following nine years at the club, in which he has won 12 major trophies - including five top-flight titles. 

The latest came on Sunday as Pep Guardiola's side staged a sensational comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-2 and top the table ahead of Liverpool.

'What a performer,' Neville said on Sky Sports as he applauded Fernandinho. 'He has consistency. He has that trophy in his hands and he deserves to have it in his hands.  

After being a fringe player for much of the season, the midfielder has been thrust into a starting role out of position at centre-back in the last four weeks due to injuries in defence. 

He has helped City take 16 points from their final 18 games and even got on the scoresheet in the 4-0 thrashing of Leeds.   

'This is the Man City spirit,' he told Sky Sports after picking up his Premier League winners' medal. 

'You never give up. You always go to the end. It happened ten years ago and it's happened again. We have the same traits. We're fighters, we never give up.

'I want to thank everyone here. In the last two years when they chose me to be captain I always tried to be in a position to help them. Of course, these people deserve by far to be in the position they are in.

'I am really proud. When I came over I dreamed to be in the Champions League.'

On the morning of the final day of the season, City unveiled a tribute to Fernandinho at their Football Academy. 

A giant mosaic - inspired by the midfielder's stunning goal in a 7-2 victory over Stoke in 2017 - will stand next to a pitch named after him. 

It is expected that the