The Blues’ boss hailed Toure “an exceptional player” after the Ivorian struck home a superb free-kick to put the icing on an impressive FA Cup fourth round away win.
Guardiola also said he was happy for skipper Vincent Kompany after the Belgian came through the 90 minutes unscathed following a first half of the season marked by frustrating injuries.
“We’re in the next round which we are pleased about,” said Pep.
“The cup is always complicated in a way because we started well but then had a difficult 15 minutes until we scored the first goal.
“We didn’t take some of our early chances but that’s been happening all season. The important thing is we created a lot of chances, did score three goals and also kept a clean sheet.
WONDERWALL: Yaya Toure rounded off a superb afternoon for City with a fine goal from this free-kick
“While it’s good to have a clean sheet because of the goals we’ve conceded lately, it is also important to score goals, which we did.”
The Catalan was impressed by man-of-the-match David Silva’s role in the second goal as well as praising the rejuvenated Toure.
“After we went 2-0 up, it was much easier for us,” Pep added. “We can play better but I’m happy and David (Silva) was amazing the way he kept waiting and waiting for the right moment before playing in Leroy – and Yaya, with his quality, scoring the third – he is an exceptional player.
“We are also happy for Vincent.
“He’s had a long time away and he played 90 minutes today with no injuries – now he can go forward with confidence and we have another player for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League which is very important because the games will come thick and fast now.”
