Kevin Keegan didn’t spend too much time fussing over David James after the goalkeeper returned from international duty.

"You alright big man, good, let’s get on with it," were his exact words according to James.

And James showed his pedigree with three world-class saves against Everton on Saturday.

Even though Manchester City lost 1-0, James had proved his point. He saved Steve Watson’s piledriver with positional sense and a strong left hand, the point-blank stop to deny Marcus Bent’s header owed everything to fast reflexes and he completed a hat-trick of outstanding saves by narrowing the angle to block Leon Osman.

"I had no doubts about David whatsoever. He kept us in the game and certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side after the week he’d had," said Keegan.

"I looked into his eyes when he came back and knew he could handle Saturday’s game. Big players handle disappointments.

"My only disappointment is that we couldn’t take advantage of his three great saves."

Lion of the Weekend - Total nominations

Steve Gerrard 1
David James 1
Michael Owen 1
Alan Smith 1
Shaun Wright-Phillips 1

Every Monday TheFA.com announces the best England player from the weekend with the help of a former international. The player with most nominations in May will be named Lion of the Season.