Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised John Stones for turning around his fortunes at the club.
City looked resolute at the back throughout their 1-0 win at in-form Southampton on Saturday and have recorded one more clean sheet than at this point last season.
Guardiola credited Stones' contribution in particular, and said: "Excellent. He's back. He has turned his situation perfectly.
"He played really, really well with Ruben (Dias) as well, all of the back four were so brilliant defensively because it's not easy. They have a lot of players there and it's not easy."
Stones has been inconsistent since joining City from Everton in 2016 and was limited to just 24 appearances last season.
He has featured 10 times so far this season, and Guardiola believes the 26-year-old deserves plenty of praise.
"He has been here more than five seasons and knows exactly what you have to do, what he has to do," Guardiola added.
"Unfortunately he could not do it in the previous years but now he has done it.
"It was himself, he settled perfectly in what he would like, no injuries, and showed his personality with and without the ball.
"We are delighted, and especially because he's an incredibly nice person. His mum and dad must be so proud of how nice a person he is and his daughter has a top father.
"He has to continue being in the right position and doing what he has done through this season."
