Toure returns to City lineup after 3-month hiatus, scores brace in win

Yaya Toure was unexpectedly drafted into Manchester City's starting XI for the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and marked the occasion by finding the net twice - including a late winner - to lift the Citizens to a vital 2-1 triumph at Selhurst Park.

Toure, 33, had famously been relegated to the fringes of the squad after his agent Dimitri Seluk took repeated aim at manager Pep Guardiola.

The Ivorian's representative's criticisms of the City boss included claims that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich handler treats his players like dogs, and are part of a fallout which stems from Toure's exclusion from the Champions League squad.

Related - Guardiola: Toure will not play for City unless he apologises on agent's behalf

Somewhat ironically, Toure's only previous first-team involvement came on Aug. 24, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest that confirmed qualification to that very tournament.

Surely, he's earned more chances to see the pitch with this match-winning performance.