Toure makes triumphant return as City secure crucial win
Football is full of surprises and the first game week after the international break proved no different. A number of players cast to one side made rare appearances, starting first at Old Trafford where Morgan Schneiderlin came on late on in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Aaron Lennon made his first league start of the season in Everton’s welcome of Swansea, but most notably, Yaya Toure made his return to league action for Manchester City.
The Ivorian’s time at the Etihad Stadium looked to be over after his outspoken agent’s comments in the media about his client’s lack of playing time. Toure was suspended by the club, only to apologise for his actions. Nevertheless, the experienced midfielder looked destined for the exit in the New Year, yet was a surprise inclusion in Pep Guardiola’s XI at Crystal Palace. The Spaniard evidently has one eye trained on the midweek Champions League action, with Ilkay Gundogan dropping out of the side in place of Toure. On the basis on Saturday’s showing, though, Guardiola has a selection headache on his hands given Toure’s commendable outing in south London.
Toure repaid the faith shown in him by Guardiola with a brace as City secured a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park as the 33-year-old landed the WhoScored man of the match award with a rating of 8.58. Yet there was more to Toure’s showing than just his goals against Palace. Having not featured for City since the end of August, there was the danger that Toure would be hugely short of match fitness, only to churn out a performance that resembled the midfielder at his peak.
While slack marking was largely responsible for Toure’s ability to fire twice past Wayne Hennessey, particularly his second, he retained the ball effectively across the 90 minutes having mustered a better pass success rate (89.4%) than any other starter in the Premier League tie. With Fernandinho marshalling the midfield and protecting the backline with aplomb, the relinquished Toure from his defensive shackles as he effectively linked the midfield and attack, hitting the back of the net with his two shots on goal.
“He can help us achieve our target,” Guardiola said of Toure after the match. With a team of City’s calibre expected to play upwards of 50 games a season, it’s vital the City boss is able to call on his key personnel and Toure, as proven against Palace, is a vital member of the squad. Unfortunately for Guardiola, he is unable to call on the experienced midfielder against Gladbach in midweek with Toure left out of the 25-man Champions League squad, but with the hectic festive period fast approaching, Guardiola’s decision to recall the former Ivory Coast international could prove crucial for the Premier League title favourites.
With results at the top of table also going City’s way as Arsenal and Liverpool dropped points, Toure made a substantial impact at Selhurst Park. With the City man clearly still on top form, Guardiola’s strength in depth goes that bit deeper as the Spaniard goes in pursuit of domestic glory in his debut season at the City helm.
