Yaya Toure responded to Manuel Pellegrini’s rallying call as he fired champions Manchester City to a 2-1 Premier League win over Swansea.
The City midfielder, below par for much of the season, but continually backed by boss Pellegrini, powered forward to strike the winner just after the hour at the Etihad Stadium.
City had needed to respond after Wilfried Bony struck early for the visitors with a sublime piece of skill inside the area.
Stevan Jovetic grabbed the equaliser before City upped the tempo and Toure, in typical style, charged forward to settle the contest.
The result eased some of the anxiety at Eastlands after just one win in the previous six games in all competitions.
Toure was at the heart of the victory, coming good after being sent off on his last appearance at the ground – the dismal Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow.
The Ivorian had been rested after previous international breaks, but as he is suspended for Tuesday’s clash with Bayern Munich, Pellegrini had challenged him to reproduce his best.
He may not have reached previous heights but it was a highly encouraging display.
Toure pushed forward and fed Jesus Navas out wide.
The Spaniard curled an inviting low ball into the area and Jovetic stuck out a leg to divert past Lukasz Fabianski.
The goal fired up the home crowd for the first time and Jovetic urged them to make more noise as he ran away in celebration.
City pressed on in an attempt to make the game save, with Aguero having another effort blocked and Jovetic curling an attempt just wide.
City might have paid for those misses had Bafetimbi Gomis made more of a late chance but the substitute was hurried into shooting wide.
There was another late scare as Hart was beaten by a deflected Shelvey free-kick but the ball dropped wide.
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