Manuel Pellegrini hailed Sergio Aguero as the best striker in the Premier League after the Manchester City striker's hat trick in the 3-0 victory over Chelsea.
The Argentine striker moved level with Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy with 21 Premier League goals for the season and one behind leader Harry Kane of Tottenham.
But Aguero was again snubbed for the shortlist for Player of the Year despite having made eight fewer appearances than his rivals strikers for the golden boot, who were both nominated.
Pellegrini said: "I am sure he is the best striker in the league, he makes a difference playing every game.
"He is a very important player and it is strange in so many years he plays here he is not the best player of the league."
City's victory moved them up to third in the Premier League above Arsenal -- having played a game more -- and also kept them four points clear of rivals Manchester United in the race for places in next season's Champions League.
And Pellegrini admitted he was happy to get revenge for City's FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge in February when he played a youthful side because of a hectic schedule.
He said: "I am satisfied with the team, they played well in attacking and defending. When all the players are fit and playing together, it is another team.
"I knew before the game that Chelsea can be difficult but I wanted revenge for the FA Cup defeat when we played here with a young team and they beat us.
"Tonight was a complete game. It is important points for the Premier League, we want to finish as near the top as we can."
Yaya Toure made his first start in four games after recovering from a knee injury and said the win over the Premier League champions was one of City's best performances of the season.
The Ivorian said: "We played very well and started by trying to control the game and I thought the whole team played really well.
"I think it was one of the best games. We controlled the game because to play at Stamford Bridge is not easy.
"The team played very well and especially with Samir [Nasri], [Kevin] De Bruyne and Kun Aguero all together on the field the team play very well.
"I like to play everywhere to help the team. I was delighted to help my teammates again today, because I've missed two or three games. So today was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. I always want to be involved and help my team whenever I can."