Yaya Toure scores twice on stunning return to Manchester City duty

Yaya Toure scored a brace in his first game for Manchester City since August as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Crystal Palace 2-1.

City, who named Toure and Vincent Kompany in their line-up, created little in a scrappy first half until the Ivorian’s deflected strike opened the scoring. But it was more misery for skipper Kompany who was forced off minutes after a collision with Claudio Bravo.

The Eagles improved after the break following the introduction of Connor Wickham and the striker netted the equaliser from Wilfried Zaha’s pass.

But it was Toure who let his football do the talking by scoring the winner seven minutes from time to earn the visitors only their second win in the league from their last six games and condemn Palace to a fifth straight defeat.

The win takes City level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table after Jurgen Klopp's side drew with Southampton, while Palace are just a point clear of the relegation zone.

Is Yaya Toure forgiven after his two goals? After the long war of words between his agent Dimitri Seluk and Guardiola, the midfielder redeemed himself with a timely brace. There was pressure on the former Barcelona player to perform after surprisingly being named in the line-up and he certainly delivered. Whether he remains a City player after the January transfer window remains unclear but Toure reminded everyone of his credentials and class at the age of 33.

Yaya Toure (Manchester City): The Ivorian showed he has not lost his eye for a goal despite making his first appearance in a City shirt since August. He created his first with a one-two with Aguero and completed the fairytale with a poacher's finish in the dying minutes.

Palace: Hennessey 6, Ward, 6 Dann 6, Tomkins 6, Cabaye 4,Kelly 6, McArthur 5, Puncheon 5, Townsend 3, Zaha 8, Benteke 6.Subs: Wickham 8, Chung-Yeo Lee 5, Sako 5.

Man City: Bravo 5, Sagna 5, Kompany 4, Otamendi 5, Kolarov 4, Fernandinho 7, Yaya Toure 9, Nolito 5, De Bruyne 6, Aguero 6, Sterling 7. Subs: Zabaleta 4, Fernando 4, Silva 5.

15’ – BENTEKE EFFORT: The ball is cleared for Benteke, who controls the ball on his chest 20 yards out and fires in a volley which goes wide - decent effort.

33’ – AGUERO CHANCE! Kolarov sends in a good cross into the box, Aguero sticks out a leg but his effort flies high and wide from eight yards out.

35’ – KOMPANY BLOW: The skipper has gone down again and looks unwell, it could be the after effects of the collision with Bravo. He is going off the field and is being replaced by Zabaleta.

39’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City: It is Toure on the scoresheet. He traded passes with Aguero in the box before firing in a shot which struck Tomkins and nestled in the roof of the net.

50’ – CONTROVERSY: Zabaleta has gone down on the edge of the box after being tripped by Puncheon off the ball - the Palace man was lucky to escape a card for that challenge.

66’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester City: Seconds after Aguero's missed chance, Palace equalise courtesy of Wickham. He collected Zaha's ball, his first touch gave him space from Zabaleta and he lashed a drive into the net via Bravo's outstretched leg.

83’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City: It is that man Toure again. De Bruyne’s low ball from the corner is flicked on by Silva and the unmarked Ivorian slots the ball in from close range, poor marking from Palace.

Toure scored a Premier League brace for the first time since May 2015.

Crystal Palace's last victory over City was a 2-1 win at home last April in the Premier League, thanks to goals from Glenn Murray and Jason Puncheon.

Palace have suffered 19 Premier League defeats in 2016, more than any other team. And they have just five wins from their last 31 league games.