And it was the second time this season the England goalkeeper had shut out Jose Mourinho’s Premiership leaders.

His brilliance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday earned City a 0-0 draw and the Lion of the Weekend award from judge Paul Parker, a key defender in the England 1990 World Cup side that reached the semi-finals.

"David James is an instinctive goalkeeper," Parker said. "His reflexes and athleticism are first-class.

"He is one of the only keepers who could have stopped Frank Lampard’s free-kick and the save in the last minute from Lampard was absolutely brilliant.

"There’s no doubt he earned City the draw, Chelsea would have won without him."

James has been in great form recently and is in Sven’s squad to face Holland on Wednesday.

He only saw Lampard’s free-kick late as it flew through a crowd of players but it was his injury-time stop to deny the Chelsea midfielder which stunned everyone in the ground.

Lampard caught his volley true from six yards and couldn’t believe it when James had time to stick out a strong right hand and turn the ball away.

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far

Stewart Downing 3 (08 Nov, 18 Oct, 04 Oct)
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3 (25 Oct, 16 Aug, 22 Nov)

Michael Owen 2 (01 Nov, 30 Aug)
John Terry 2 (29 Nov, 13 Dec)
Alan Smith 2 (23 Aug, 04 Jan)
Frank Lampard 2 (06 Dec, 17 Jan)
Wayne Rooney 2 (15 Nov, 31 Jan)
David James 2 (13 Sept, 07 Feb)

Ashley Cole 1 (27 Sept)
Rio Ferdinand 1 (11 Oct)
Ledley King 1 (20 Sept)
Steven Gerrard 1 (06 Sept)
Jermain Defoe 1 (20 Dec)
Darren Carter 1 (10 Jan)
Dean Ashton 1 (24 Jan)

* Every Monday TheFA.com announces the outstanding England player from the weekend’s matches, selected with the help of a former England international.

Lion of the Weekend is chosen by five former England internationals: Alan Mullery, Russell Osman, Mick Mills, Malcolm Macdonald and Paul Parker.

The player with the most votes at the end of the season will be crowned "Lion of the Season".