That was the claim yesterday from City defender Javier Garrido, who reckons Tevez would be Player of the Year this season if it were not for 33-goal Rooney.
Argentina star Tevez scored what turned out to be the winner in City’s 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday.
It took Roberto Mancini’s side into fifth, two points behind Spurs in fourth but with a game in hand – and on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
Tevez’s strike was his 16th in the league this campaign and 22nd overall.
Garrido said: “Carlos is definitely one of the in-form strikers.
“When he plays, the team has confidence because he is a player that gives his best, works hard and scores goals for us.
“He is a key player, a main player for us. It could be if Rooney wasn’t around he would be Player of the Year.
“We know how well Rooney has done for them, but for Man City, maybe Carlos is like Wayne Rooney is for United.
“He works hard and gives us a lot, and the team feels that.”
Spaniard Garrido insisted City did have their eyes on a place in the Champions League next season.
“We are thinking about it – why not?” he added. “We are in the right position and right situation.
“We beat Fulham, a team that tries to play good football, so we have to keep going.
“We have to keep working like we have done. It’s going to be difficult, but we are in the right situation to join the top four.
“We are in a good position. These are the last games and we have to do well, we have to be strong and it is in our hands to get the fourth position. Our challenge is to be there.”
Garrido was a last-minute replacement for Joleon Lescott at Craven Cottage after the England defender suffered a hamstring injury.
He added: “I haven’t been playing for a few weeks, obviously I want to play week in, week out, but I have to understand the manager’s decision and when he calls me I have to be ready.”
£40m Villa is on the market
CHELSEA and Manchester City are on red alert after debt-riddled Valencia agreed to sell striker David Villa.
His team-mate Silva is also available and Manchester United are sure to fancy the attacking midfielder, who may fetch up to £20million.
The Spanish team want to raise £50m by selling both players but Villa could cost £40m alone if a bidding war erupts between the Premier League's richest clubs.
Insiders say Villa, who has fired 121 goals in 223 outings for Valencia and 37 in 55 internationals, will also be wanted by Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But he is thought to prefer a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea his first choice.
Nicolas Anelka is stalling over an extended one-year deal at Chelsea and Blues fans would view Villa, 28, as an eye-popping replacement.
Villa said: "For now my head is in Valencia and the World Cup.
"After South Africa I will decide what's best. My final decision won't be based solely on money."
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has shelved his plan to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham because the striker's recent form has been too good. The Blues had a £10m bid for the Russian turned down in January. Daily Mirror
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has lined up a deal to sell Albert Riera to Spartak Moscow. It follows the midfielder's outburst in which he described the Anfield club as "a sinking ship". Daily Mail
Everton are planning a £650,000 summer swoop for Portugal Under-20 striker Joao Silva, who plays for Desportivo das Aves and is the top scorer in his country's second division. Daily Mail
Wigan and Sunderland are chasing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, 22, from ENPPI for about £3m. The Sun
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy hopes to land Ghana striker Jordan Ayew, 19, from French club Marseille - possibly on an initial one-year loan deal. (Daily Mirror)
West Bromwich Albion could make a move for defender Calum Davenport, 27, who is a free agent after being released by West Ham. The Sun
Queens Park Rangers will send on-loan goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, 23, back to Wolves so manager Neil Warnock can bring in more loan signings. (Daily Star)
Doncaster say they cannot afford to sign on-loan striker Billy Sharp, 24, in the summer because his club Sheffield United want £1.5m for him. (Daily Star)
Former Celtic striker Chris Killen wants to stay with Middlesbrough beyond the end of his current contract, which expires this summer. (Daily Record)
WAG OF THE DAY
http://www.footballfancast.com/football ... ags-beauty
OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has owner Roman Abramovich's full backing - unless the Stamford Bridge outfit have a disastrous end to the season. (Daily Star)
Or Ancelotti has 21 days to rescue Chelsea's season and his job or he will be shown the door. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Chelsea's injury problems have worsened, with the news that Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out for a month, leaving the club without their first (Jose Bosingwa) and second-choice right-backs. Daily Mail
Barcelona's French striker Thierry Henry says he does not want to play against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final - and he will not celebrate if he scores against his former side. Daily Express
The Premier League's sale of its overseas broadcasting rights for 2010 to 2013 will raise about £1.4bn, more than double the previous level and a leap of £13m per club, per year. Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano will commit his long-term future to the club. (The Times)
Former Charlton and West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is ready to take over as manager of Championship side Bristol City following Gary Johnson's departure last week. (Daily Star)
Days after rapper P Diddy was linked with a move to buy Crystal Palace, fellow hip hop superstar Jay-Z has revealed he could be interested in investing some of his estimated £500m fortune in Arsenal.
Daily Mirror
Gallagher Hopes For City Spurt On The Back Of Oasis Split
Rocker LIAM GALLAGHER is convinced his beloved Manchester City are set for a soccer heyday - because the team has always performed well when OASIS weren't.
The lifelong City fanatic admits he was always frustrated when Oasis were at the top of the charts - because his favourite team were dreadful.
And they only tasted success when Oasis were struggling with band feuds and bad press.
Gallagher hopes that now the band has split, Manchester City will storm to the top of the English Premiership.
He tells soccer magazine Four Four Two, "Every time Oasis were doing really well, City were doing really s**t! That always seemed to be the way. But now we've split up, City are doing really good.
"I've had 18 great years with Oasis, so maybe there's some good times ahead with City and that'll take the pain of the band splitting off a bit."
[/center]
