Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway paid tribute to his goalkeeper Julian Speroni following the 1-0 victory over Derby at Pride Park.
Yannick Bolasie hit Palace's winner after 13 minutes, but it was Speroni's string of superb saves - culminating in deflecting Conor Sammon's 87th-minute spot-kick on to the crossbar - that eventually earned the Eagles a first away win since November.
"I think he's a wonderful person," said Holloway. "It's not just what he's like with his gloves on; he's a wonderful human being.
"I think he epitomises the club - we're fresh, we're hungry, we want to do it. He's been player of the year three times in a row so he's definitely a fans' favourite, and he was absolutely outstanding.
"It's nice to get that monkey off your back and it took a marvellous save from our goalie - I thought he was inspired.
"That's why he's got his own bar at our ground. To do well you need a really good goalie and he's proved that tonight."
Holloway sympathised with Derby, adding: "They've had a lot of bad luck. They've got a young side who are so enthusiastic and they probably deserved better than they got, but we've got to take that and try and move on.
"We all looked a bit nervous at the end, myself included, because we want it so bad.
"I'm going to enjoy this because we're in with a shout of automatic promotion and that's fantastic for everybody at the club."
Mancini made the observation last weekend as he assessed the state of a title race that subsequently saw victories for both United and Manchester City that maintained the status quo with 11 games remaining.
The City manager's argument is that United, whilst deserving of their top-of-the-table status, were not so superior to his own side they were worthy of such an imposing advantage that surely will be impossible to claw back.
It was an observation Ferguson countered immediately.
"We're dead lucky," said the Scot, with more than a hint of sarcasm.
"We have only been doing it for 25 years. It is a terrible habit.
"Maybe he (Mancini) is lucky they are only 12 points behind."
It was Ferguson in one of his jocular moods, although it did not lead to words of sympathy for old adversary Rafael Benitez over his plight at Chelsea, which the Scot preferred to stay out of.
"I am not getting into that," he said.
