Pellegrini expects Toure of old

“It will be a big game very early in the season”, said Kompany, speaking to Sky Sports.

GOALS from David Silva, Yaya Toure and captain Vincent Kompany ensured a very happy Monday for dominant City in their opening Premier League clash against West Brom.

City doubled their lead quarter of an hour later when Toure powered a curling 18-yard effort beyond helpless West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and into the top corner after a quick one-two with former Swansea hitman Wilfried Bony.

Yaya’s performances were affected by the death of his brother, Ibrahim, a year ago.

Toure looked set to depart Manchester at the end of 2014-15, with Inter and Paris Saint-Germain both interested, having signalled his intention to leave after coming in for heavy criticism. It was not his best season but he did not play so, so bad like everyone said.

It should be a relatively easy task against West Brom, as Manchester have dominated their rivals – beating them in their last seven meetings since 2012.

“We came out with a point to prove”, the defender told the club’s official site. Asked for his analysis of Sterling’s debut, Kompany replied: “Raheem has given us sharpness and speed to hurt teams when we’re defending…it gives other teams things to think about”. But both signaled they’re back to their best this time around.

“Obviously there is a lot of favourite teams now and we’re not part of it I’ve heard”.

“I don’t think he was properly focussed and we have spoken about that”. I think it is a strong start. But because of the year before, when he got 20, you automatically give him criticism and stick. West Brom manager TOny Pulis has always been excellent at gettting something from home games in the league no matter where he has managed so we can expect a tough test for Manchester City here on Monday night.

“Last season was not the best for us as a team but second in the table is not bad at all, I scored 12 goals and won the Africa Nations Cup for my country”.

Speaking ahead of the curtain raiser at the Hawthorns, midfielder Fernandinho acknowledged that the Blues need to tighten it up at the back if they are to wrestle the title back from Chelsea.