Manchester City have secured a vital home win against Stoke City in the Premier League, thanks to a late Yaya Toure goal.
The hosts took control of the ball early on, although Stoke defended well and were able to keep out their opponents.
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In fact, it was Stoke who had the first real chance of the afternoon. Glenn Whelan had acres of space in midfield and decided to shoot from distance. His effort was on target, but Joe Hart made a simple stop.
The hosts responded by racing up the other end with Fernandinho, but the midfielder's attempt from 25 yards was straight at Asmir Begovic.
Jonathan Walters should have done better when free in the box, although the home side needed Hart to keep out Charlie Adam's low effort moments later.
Toure, who had a quiet first half, shifted the ball onto his right foot before going for a curling effort into the top corner. He hit it well, but it was a fairly comfortable save for Begovic.
The Stoke goalkeeper also saved from Fernandinho late in the first half.
Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic missed decent chances early in the second half, but the home side finally broke the deadlock with 20 minutes left.
Aleksandar Kolarov drilled a low ball into the area where Toure was waiting on the edge of the six-yard box to put it in, although Begovic did get a touch.
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A confident Toure then pushed forward from midfield again before giving the ball to Jesus Navas, who played a simple low pass across the box for Dzeko at the back post. Despite being just three yards out, the striker scuffed his chance and Stoke cleared.
Stephen Ireland fired wide in injury time for Stoke, but Manuel Pellegrini's side held on for the win.
Gary Peters
