Dunne has been ‘to hell and back’

KEVIN KEEGAN believes Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne has been “to hell and back” but is finally proving his real value as a top Premiership defender.

Dubliner Dunne has had more than his fair share of problems since he arrived at Everton as a schoolboy, and now in three years at Manchester City.

But Keegan believes Dunne has finally seen the light and is producing the best form of his career.

Dunne, who spent four years coming through the ranks at Everton before being sold to City in 2000 for £3million, returned to Goodison Park on Sunday and emerged man of the match.

Everton threw all their available strike power at him Wayne Rooney, Francis Jeffers, Tomasz Radzinski and finally Kevin Campbell but the centre-half took it all in his stride as the sides fought out a goalless draw.

Keegan was delighted, having stood by Dunne through a catalogue of problems over recent seasons.

Keegan said: "I do not mind people singling Richard out, he has gone to hell and back over the last couple of years, everybody knows that.

"But he is back, and right now he is showing the potential he showed years ago when he was at Everton.

"He has done some silly things in the past but that is all behind him now. His last half dozen games for us have been absolutely outstanding."

Dunne has played centre-half for the last nine games, and Keegan added: "Unfortunately his fine performances have got lost amongst some poor results, but he can only do his best and he has been my man of the match for the last five or six games.

"We have got to get the others, who are capable of being better, up to his level of confidence and performance".

City have gone seven games without a win, with only two goals in that disappointing run that has seen their UEFA and Carling Cup hopes ended.

Everton tried all their big guns and City had Nicolas Anelka, Robbie Fowler and Paulo Wanchope on the pitch at the end, but the deadlock could not be broken.

Keegan added: "The spirit is lifting amongst our lot, and I believe we can climb the table again. I was pleased with the result and individual performances from the likes of Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips who were outstanding.

"We had to stop the rot somewhere. It could so easily have been three points or it could have been none. They hit the post and should have won it and we threw everything at it."

Keegan has brought pressure on himself by insisting he is responsible for the current bad run, but he said: "The vital ingredient missing was confidence, and that comes from getting results.

"Maybe the point for both will be the springboard for both clubs. It is not all doom and gloom. We are higher at this stage than we were at the same time last season.

"But I blame myself for people thinking it is doom and gloom. The expectation level at this club has always been quite low."