Tevez, a former West Ham forward, opened his account with City with a double against his former club, who were beaten 3-1 on Monday night.

"Great players, like he is, they are absolute gentlemen and he showed that tonight," Zola said after the match in Manchester.

"My appreciation of him is great, not only for what he did with his celebration, but for the way he played throughout the game was fantastic."

City's win put them in fifth place with 15 points and a game in hand, trailing leaders Manchester United by three points.