Crystal Palace 1 Manchester City 2: Toure makes hero's return
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Nov 23, 2016
City's on-the-ball dominance paid off in the 38th minute, after some patient passing around the Palace back-line saw Yaya Toure pick up possession on the edge of the box.
Manchester City fullback Bacary Sagna is not surprised that Yaya Toure has found himself back in the headlines for all the right reasons, with the Ivorian putting in a a man-of-the match shift in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Making his first Premier League appearance of the season, Toure gave City a half-time lead with his first goal before, with his second, securing the three points that came under threat after Connor Wickham's second-half finish.
Kompany, 30, suffered a head injury in a collision with his own goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be assessed ahead of the Champions League clash against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.
Returning for his first league game since May after settling his differences with his manager, Toure ran the game and proved just what his team have been missing when he is in the mood.
A player who will go down in the history books as one of City's greatest players, Toure has been virtually ostracized since Guardiola took charge in the offseason.
"That's why he is another guy to compete with the midfield players to increase our levels", he added.
"I'm here to take decisions". As a player, there is no doubt.
The Ivorian, starting his first Premier League game of the season, produced a brilliant display, opening the scoring with a powerful shot in the first half, before tapping home the victor with just seven minutes remaining to seal the win.
"Today was a very tough game by Palace". This was much better, so that's why it's a huge compliment to the team, because you have to win these kind of games. I'm still not convinced about them defensively at this moment in time but certainly the attacking brand of play is really exciting.
"This was maybe good step, but in the long-term you have to play better".
"I am more satisfied when we play against Middlesbrough for example, against Everton, even Tottenham in the second half, than today, but you have to win". Yaya Toure has got two goals but Cabaye and Puncheon were top class.
"At the beginning we did not count on him, he would not be here, but he can play many positions". "And that is not acceptable to me". As they pressed for the equalising goal, City nearly doubled their lead when Joel Ward, after Hennessey had taken the sting out of a near-post shot from Aguero, was forced to clear off the line, but the chance they needed nearly instantly followed.
