Hard work paying off

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes Yaya Toure is in prime form and earning reward for his hard work in training.

Toure’s fine start to the season continued as he struck his fifth goal in seven games in a 5–0 Capital One Cup thrashing of Championship side Wigan at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini said: “He is a very important player for the team. Yaya is really in a good moment of form.”

Stevan Jovetic netted his first two goals for City on Tuesday, and the summer capture will now hope to push for a place in the side to face Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League this weekend.

Defender Micah Richards, who was making his first appearance of the season after overcoming a hamstring injury, and midfielder James Milner also impressed to keep themselves at the forefront of Pellegrini’s thoughts.