Nigel Pearson has described Nahki Wells as a manager's dream after the Bristol City striker cemented his starting role against Manchester City with the winner against Hull City.
After a stretch of 469 days without a spot-kick, City had their second in two weeks after Anis Mehmeti's effort came back off the arm of Cyrus Christie. It was controversial given the pace of the ball but Wells kept his cool once again to ensure the 12-game unbeaten run continued.
The hosts started the game superbly and could have had two or three in the opening 20 minutes until the visitors eventually settled. However, except for Benjamin Tetteh's header coming back off the post after Wells' goal, Liam Rosenior's side were toothless for the majority of the game going forward.
Mehmeti spearheaded the attack down the left flank while Mark Sykes was also getting plenty of joy down the opposite side. City had to remain patient but were eventually rewarded when the former Wycombe winger played another key role in winning the penalty.
Wells, who showed nerves of steel at Sunderland to grab a late equaliser, fired the ball to the keeper's left to score his 11th goal of the season. After the game, Pearson said of his experienced striker: "Last season he spent a lot of time on the bench and was a model professional.
"He was never at any point negative. He wasn't happy not playing and I've always had a very good relationship with him. He focuses his energy on being ready.
"He played a lot of Under-23 games last year and he built a really good relationship with Tommy Conway in those games. He didn't miss the opportunity to keep practicing and so like what happens in most players' careers, they'll have spells of disappointment and opportunity. He's taken his opportunity with both hands.
"I know he would have been disappointed not to have started the last few games but he's a player who will start on Tuesday and he will go out there and play well. I know (he will).
"He's our top scorer and at 32, he's earned a new contract. I'm delighted he's staying with us for another two years. He's physically fit, he's got an appetite to score. He helps the younger players so he's a manager's dream."
Pearson had sympathy for Rosenior, whom he signed as a player during his time in the dugout at Hull City in 2010. Although he felt there was an element of justice after City were denied two clear-cut penalties in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season.
"I've just seen Liam downstairs and I understand his frustrations because he wants to do well," Pearson added. "I can't have too much sympathy because he's not been on the receiving end of 469 days like we have.
"I've not seen it, I understand a ball travelling at that pace might feel as though it's an injustice but I've not seen it so I can't really comment. We've had so many stonewallers dismissed by officials, I don't want to start talking double standards about things like this.
"It's rather ironic that if you look at last week's game and this week's. We have added another three points to our total based on two decisions that have gone our way.
"Last week was a stonewaller but you look at Sunderland who were a minute away from winning that game and that's the only point they've got in the last three games. It just shows you what the Championship is like.
"It's tough to be consistent or to try and justify how things go. It's a minefield at times. I've just seen him downstairs and I understand his frustrations."
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