Manuel Pellegrini happy with win and clean sheet

The 32-year-old starred as he scored two first-half goals to help his side beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0, and manager Manuel Pellegrini later claimed that he is back to his best.

Manchester City handed a league debut to Raheem Sterling but the England winger spurned a one-on-one chance and was generally overshadowed by his dazzling team-mates Toure and David Silva before he was withdrawn in the second half.

City finished eight points adrift of Chelsea last season after mounting a tame defence of their title.

“I am sure that last season his head was not in his best moment and it is very hard for a player when you have so many problems”.

Toure scored 10 goals last season but managed just one assist in the top flight, which resulted in significant criticism coming his way throughout the summer. Twelve goals and I won the Copa for my country; it’s not bad at all. Sometimes people need to understand we are human beings. It’s part of the game.

“I think I’ve got to hold my hands up”, the 57-year-old was quoted as saying by the British media. I know what I want and I know what I have to do. I love my job, I love to play football.

“It’s early to say but I’m sure they expect themselves to win the title”.

The agreement encompasses all Premier League matches in seasons 2016/17 to 2021/22 and also includes exclusive rights for Spanish language coverage in the U.S. The big Belgian had become one of the most consistent center-backs in Europe in recent seasons.

City have already opened up a two-point lead over Chelsea after Swansea held the champions at Stamford Bridge, and will now look to increase it even further when they host Mourinho’s men on Sunday.

The death of his brother Ibrahim last year, as well as the furore over his relationship with the club and infamous birthday cake saga the previous May cast a shadow over the performances of one of the most influential players in the Premier League.

Toure added: “I hope this year is going to be fine for us”.

“There are certain principles we have to stick by and work with to get results at this level and I went away from that”. I don’t think he was properly focussed and we have spoken about that. We had a conversation and we agreed a lot of things.

“But I don’t think he deserved the amount of criticism he received”.