Guardiola hints at Toure Champions League recall

Yaya Toure marked his return to Manchester City’s starting line-up by scoring twice in Pep Guardiola’s side’s 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.

“I am so happy for Yaya, he is a really nice guy”.

“His performance was not about my decision, it’s about his quality”.

Guardiola explained, “The last two months he was awesome in the training sessions”. He can help us to achieve our targets because we need all our players in order to achieve our targets.

He won’t be eligible for Wednesday’s clash at Borussia Monchengladbach after being left out of Guardiola’s Champions League squad, but is hoping to retain his place for next Saturday’s Premier League trip to Burnley.

City is now on top of the Premier League alongside Liverpool, which had a goalless draw at Southampton. Now we have Yaya.

The Yaya Toure we cherished for five years might not be back for good, but at least he’s no longer gathering dust in the broom cupboard. “We are all in the same boat and have to take our responsibilities as players”. However, they looked flummoxed when a man ran on while carrying the young girl to join in the celebrations, and didn’t know whether to grab him or leave him to revel in the late drama.

There is also a dollop of transfer speculation to go with your Sunday breakfast, but let’s start with the match coverage via the MEN’s Stuart Brennan, who was not just impressed with the Ivorian’s goals at Selhurst Park. “You must always stay professional”, the midfielder told BBC Sport.

“I am very happy to be playing football, my team-mates are very important to me”.

“We were not brilliant, but I’m so proud of my players in the same way I was so proud against Everton and Middlesbrough, when we deserved to win and didn’t”.

“If we are able to qualify for the Champions League (knockout stages), after, I will sit with myself, my staff, and we will decide who are the best players to help us to achieve in the Champions League games. The position in the league will put that little bit of added pressure on us and hopefully doesn’t force mistakes like we have seen in the last two games”.

For all of Pardew’s disappointment, his team frequently threatened Manchester City, limited their chances, and were only frustrated by a convincing defensive performance. “With him went leadership, with Touré filling the breach”.

“Maybe my prediction (on the title) is it will be like 2014”. A corner kick was played low across the face of goal by Kevin De Bruyne, going straight past David Silva and falling perfectly for the Ivorian to tuck home from close range.