Fellaini (right) has given the Blues a massive boost in recent weeks

Everton defender Leighton Baines says team-mate Marouane Fellaini is starting to show his true ability this season.

Fellaini, 22, was man of the match in the 2-0 victory against Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday.

"He's come back this season and he looks even hungrier," Baines told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He's got an extra bite in his tackle and his workrate has upped - no doubt his confidence is sky high at the moment as he's playing ever so well."

Fellaini has been played in various positions at Goodison Park since his £15m move from Standard Liege in September 2008, including attacking midfielder and striker.

But he is now being played in the position in which he made his name in Belgium, as a holding midfielder, and he and Everton are seeing the rewards.

"He's been tremendous this season," Baines added. "I think he has really found his position where he's been playing.

"He is such a key figure for us at the moment and he enables us to win the ball back in key areas of the pitch and we can play from there. He is a massive player for us."

One of the memorable moments from Saturday's victory over Manchester City was the pirouette Fellaini produced when dispossessing Craig Bellamy.

The move brought cheers from the Goodison crowd and Baines says it is something the big Belgian likes perform.

"He does it quite a bit to be fair. It's something he does in training and he produces it quite a bit."

He added: "[The fans] have taken to him really well."

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