Yaya Toure scores brace on City return

Yaya Toure of Manchester City (C) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his Manchester City team mates during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. Manchester City’s manager received criticism in some quarters for his dismissal of Joe Hart to Turin, and his hardline stance with Yaya Toure and his agent made a return to City’s side equally unlikely.

The Ivory Coast global, ostracized from the Manchester City squad for much of the season, made his first league start for the club against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Only a few weeks ago Toure was odds-on never to play for City again but Pep Guardiola’s decision to allow him back into the squad was rewarded with the opener on 39 minutes and then the victor with seven minutes left.

That apology did arrive early this month, but it still looked like Toure’s tenure at the club was done and dusted.

“It was fantastic because these guys have always been there for me”.

“My team-mates are very important to me”. His physical condition, his weight is better than ever and I’m so happy for him and especially his family.

As in recent games, they could consider themselves unfortunate to lose, but that is a habit of which they will want to rid themselves soon.

“But I think they need three or four signings to be honest”.

Injury-prone City captain Vincent Kompany had to go off with injury after a collision with his own keeper Claudio Bravo but Toure was soon back in business when his 39th minute shot, via a deflection, flew past Wayne Hennessey.

“I spoke in the last month, many times with Yaya because he was my player with Barcelona, I know him very well”.

“I was keeping going, preparing myself to stay fit and today I made the most of my opportunity”.

“I have been lucky”.

He added: “We knew sometimes we need to fight to win games and this was tough”. In the end a win is brilliant.

If Toure continues to do well then Guardiola will have two decisions to make.

It was a lean-looking Toure who took to the field against Palace on Saturday for only his second appearance of the season, and first since a virtually meaningless Champions League playoff match on August 24.

“I’m hoping that that is unusual and the next five games we get our slice of luck and a little break here and there, get the first goal and suddenly start getting some points”.

On the face of it, the selection of a seasoned global who has won five domestic titles and two Uefa Champions Leagues during a glittering club career in European football should not really come as much of a surprise.

“We can not forget that a few weeks ago we beat the best team in Europe – Barcelona”. We have use any means necessary to try and win the game. “If you don’t do well you have to go on the bench”.