Yaya Toure: the man, the mountain, the machine.
Power, pace, accuracy, technique... he had it all. The man who of course, played such a pivotal role in igniting our recent success with so many stunning, supreme and unforgettable goals - magic moments that will live long in the memory.
FA Cup euphoria, that dream double at St James’ Park, mesmeric Manchester Derby delight... the list goes on...
Yet, it is another of Toure’s sumptuous strikes which takes the acclaim in today’s #City30 feature, presented by Nexen.
We asked you - the fans - to nominate your favourite solo goal and Yaya’s astonishing venture against Aston Villa earned the plaudits...
Toure vs Villa
— Dan Whittaker (@DanWhitt87) April 26, 2020
When the Villans visited the Etihad Stadium in May 2014, the stakes could not have been higher for City - a victory would move Manuel Pellegrini’s men two points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just one game remaining.
It was a time for leaders and legends to step up.
Typically, the home side struggled to break down the Villa defence in the opening 45, setting up a nervy second half.
Eventually, the deadlock was blissfully broken four minutes after the hour, courtesy of Edin Dzeko, and the floodgates opened. Dzeko added his second of the game eight minutes later and Stevan Jovetic curled home to seal the triumph with a minute of normal time remaining.
Job done! With City cruising to a precious three points, there was a real party atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
Time for a party goal... and the pick of the bunch!
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With City three clear, Yaya Toure would have been forgiven for running the clock down, playing to safety, when he collected the ball midway through our half... but no, the midfield machine had other ideas.
Instead, the Ivorian sensed an opportunity. He could smell the icing on the cake and embarked on a storming run towards goal, powering his way through the visitors’ defence - past four Villa men - and into the box.
Needless to say, he then applied the perfect finish, curling beyond Brad Guzan to net a sensational solo goal and cap a treasured win which put City within touching distance of our second Premier League crown in three years...
Yaya Toure at his scintillating best! A joy to behold.
Tuesday’s #City30 topic: the best goalline clearance.
Who saved the day in the nick of time? Who stuck out a foot to claw the ball away with just millimetres to spare? Whose bravery and acrobatics rescued a crucial result? Whose agility left you in awe?
Share your nominations on Twitter @ManCity.
Don’t forget the hashtag #City30!
