PASS MASTER YAYA ROLLS BACK YEARS
PEP GUARDIOLA told the Manchester City bench to stand. They did as they were told, rising as one in applause, and so did everyone else. Yaya Toure began his slow, long waltz off with five minutes remaining last night. The end of an era. And what an era it has been. Toure is not overly fond of the limelight, awkwardly ambling out as captain last night, and his demeanour actually showcased the magnitude of this occasion for him. He wandered off sheepishly after being mobbed by most of his team-mates. They wanted to congratulate a legend on a job well done. Guardiola slapped the veteran’s head, gave him a hug. And then, at just before 10 o’clock, came the overt gratitude, the montage of his greatest moments in a City shirt. Barely anybody had left, wanting to stay for his presentation, and they cheered that FA Cup winner against Manchester United as it came on screen. Toure played to the crowd, saying: ‘Once a blue, always a blue.’ Out came his brother, Kolo, to present a lifetime season ticket. A shirt with the 316 — his number of appearances — on the back was another keepsake. Kolo spoke passionately about Yaya’s achievements. This was the send-off he deserved and Vincent Kompany rattled off his biggest
moments on the mic. ‘I just want to say thank you,’ Komapny said. ‘If there is a legend at this club then it is this man.’ It says something for the splendour with which Toure plays that the amount of passes he wasted could be counted on one hand last night. Toure had the ball a lot and was ruthlessly precise with it. He looked at ease, and while the 34-year-old is not the juggernaut of old, he still seems to have a place in Premier League fixtures. That will encourage clubs eyeing Toure up and at times it felt as though he was playing his own game of pass completion. That in itself felt a fitting tribute before the club paid theirs.