• Manchester City 3-1 Sunderland, League Cup

Final goal my best ever - Toure

ESPN staff
March 2, 2014
ESPN FC: Manchester City break Sunderland hearts at Wembley


Yaya Toure says his wonder goal that was the catalyst for Manchester City's comeback against Sunderland in the League Cup final was his best ever.

With his side trailing 1-0 after 55 minutes, the Ivory Coast midfielder curled a stunning effort into thee top corner that gave Sunderland goalkeeper no chance. Samir Nasri put City ahead a minute later before Jesus Navas wrapped up victory in injury time.

And when asked if it was his finest goal, Toure told reporters: "I think so, yes.

"It was important as well. We needed to win today. The final is only one game and you need to enjoy it - but you need to win.''

City shatter Sunderland dreams

Manuel Pellegrini shows off his first silverware as Manchester City manager © PA Photos

The victory marked manager Manuel Pellegrini's first major trophy in European football and the Chilean was understandably delighted to break his duck.

"I'm very happy,'' he said. "To win the first trophy I think is important for us all. For the players, for me and for the staff - everyone. It's very important, because at an important club you must win trophies.''

Asked about his side's disappointing first-half performance, he added: "We were not doing things well. Sunderland played a very good match. In the second half we changed it and scored two beautiful goals and we had the patience to win. The second half we were the better team.''

City captain Vincent Kompany was delighted to lift the trophy at Wembley, and said: "It's the best stadium, for me it's the best in Europe, maybe even the world, and lifting the trophy here is something special.

"We never take anything for granted and we'll enjoy every moment. I think we should be hungry for more. We've achieved something great for the club and we need to carry on.''

Sunderland captain John O'Shea, meanwhile, admitted defeat was a bitter pill to take but conceded the better team were going home with the trophy.

"We are terribly disappointed. They only way you enjoy a cup final is by winning it,'' he said. "They've scored a great goal to get back into it, he's stuck it in the top corner from 30 yards out and then we've lost a bit of organisation and it's cost us a second goal. It's not a nice place now and we have a huge test for the rest of the season. But credit to them - they're deserving winners.''

Black Cats boss Gus Poyet was sanguine in defeat, able to take comfort from the fact his players could not have given any more.

"We had a go, we were 1-0 up, we knew everything had to go for us," he said. "But a little foul not given, a wonder goal from Yaya Toure and then an incredible finish from Nasri. I'm proud of the players, proud of the fans. I can promise them we gave the best shot we had today. To beat us today City had to score two wonder goals. Defeat today, I hate it. I hate losing, but I'm proud of the players.''

Yaya Toure's unstoppable effort kick-started Manchester City's revival © PA Photos
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