David Clayton - Goal v Stoke, 2011
For all the amazing memories Yaya Toure will leave behind, his winning goal in the FA Cup final against Stoke just edges out the one he scored in the semi-final against United.
City hadn’t won a trophy of any note since 1976 and many of us wondered if we’d ever see one in our lifetime. Yaya’s winner against the Reds had been wildly celebrated with good reason – our first FA Cup final for 30 years and a chance to end 35 years of hurt – so when he powered home the winner against the Potters, it was the beginning of the Club’s most successful period ever.
Men, women and kids were crying that day and a new dawn had begun – at the centre of everything was Yaya Toure. Legend.
Robert Pollard - Goal v United, 2011
The winning goal against Manchester United in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final, for me, was the best Yaya moment of the lot.
That was the day we all started to believe the Club was truly destined for success. The takeover in 2008 brought hope and optimism, but those ‘Typical City’ fears remained. Somehow, we would mess things up and success would never come our way.
Both one swing of Yaya’s right foot, all that dissipated, and belief swept the stands.
It was a great goal. He dispossessed Michael Carrick, flew past Nemanja Vidic and then pout the ball through Van der Sar’s legs. Glorious.
Caroline Oatway - Goal v Sunderland, 2014
This was an incredibly tough decision (and I’m still not sure this one beats his outstanding solo run against Aston Villa) but Yaya’s equaliser at Wembley in the Capital One Cup Final against Sunderland - yes, another Wembley goal - was truly sensational.
The Ivorian has constantly produced moments of magic of which had to be seen to be believed and it was an absolute honour to have witnessed that particular strike, which was so crucial in swinging the game in City’s favour, in the flesh.
With the Blues trailing and struggling to find that all-important leveller, up stepped the Ivorian to create yet another pivotal moment in the Club’s history.
Standing 35 yards from goal, he received Pablo Zabaleta’s short pass with little option - seemingly - but to cross. However, while everyone inside the ground anticipated a delivery, in a remarkably casual manner, Toure had other ideas and curled an unbelievable first-time effort into the top corner.
It was an outstanding piece of individual brilliance - one of many the big man has produced throughout the years. Thank you, Yaya.
