Soccer
Man City Avoid Midfield Crisis at Crucial Time as Yaya Toure Sidesteps Ban
Yaya Toure will not face a ban for appearing to kick out at Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the weekend, meaning Manchester City have avoided a midfield crisis that would have further disrupted their quest for silverware (via BBC Sport).
Toure faced the prospect of a three-match ban after the FA decided to review the incident which was missed at the time by referee Jon Moss, but there was no consensus amongst a panel of three ex-referees and therefore the 30-year-old won't face punishment.
Jose Mourinho had predictably tried to influence the FA’s decision when earlier in the day he said: “If he is not suspended the message is clear: you can do what you want. If the FA defends football he has to be suspended."
There’s no doubt Toure flicked a leg at van Wolfswinkel, but the contact was minimal.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision, one thing that’s clear is City have avoided a potentially huge blow. Fernandinho’s absence in the last two matches has been all too obvious, with City failing to stamp their authority midfield in the manner they have become accustomed, and a three-match ban for Toure would have compounded the problem.
The Brazilian missed City’s 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea and the 0-0 draw with Norwich because of a thigh injury which is expected to keep him out until at least the first leg of City’s last 16 Champions League tie with Barcelona on February 18 (via The Telegraph).
Without him, City have looked limp; lacking in verve and energy in
the middle of the pitch. He's been an unqualified success since his
summer move, despite his hefty price tag, and City need him back.Toure faced the prospect of a three-match ban after the FA decided to review the incident which was missed at the time by referee Jon Moss, but there was no consensus amongst a panel of three ex-referees and therefore the 30-year-old won't face punishment.
Jose Mourinho had predictably tried to influence the FA’s decision when earlier in the day he said: “If he is not suspended the message is clear: you can do what you want. If the FA defends football he has to be suspended."
There’s no doubt Toure flicked a leg at van Wolfswinkel, but the contact was minimal.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision, one thing that’s clear is City have avoided a potentially huge blow. Fernandinho’s absence in the last two matches has been all too obvious, with City failing to stamp their authority midfield in the manner they have become accustomed, and a three-match ban for Toure would have compounded the problem.
The Brazilian missed City’s 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea and the 0-0 draw with Norwich because of a thigh injury which is expected to keep him out until at least the first leg of City’s last 16 Champions League tie with Barcelona on February 18 (via The Telegraph).
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Some will see the decision as lucky, but City won't care one bit. Wednesday's match against Sunderland is the first of four consecutive home games in three competitions. It's not a run of fixtures that will define their season, but they will go a long way in determining the level of success they achieve, and they can embark on those fixtures with their match-winning Ivorian in the side.
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
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