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MANCHESTER, England -- There was pure elation at Yaya Toures goal-scoring return to action for Manchester City over the weekend.As he was leaving the field after scoring both of Citys goals in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, he was given a warm hug by coach Pep Guardiola. As he walked into the dressing room, he was given a standing ovation by his teammates.Among the fans spilling onto the playing surface amid the celebrations after Toures 83rd-minute winning goal was a man who was holding a young girl with his right arm and punching the air with his left.These joyous moments have been a long time coming for Toure.A player who will go down in the history books as one of Citys greatest players, Toure has been virtually ostracized since Guardiola took charge in the offseason. The main reason for that was Toures agent, Dimitri Seluk, who Guardiola clearly dislikes because of Seluks open criticism toward him.But it also had something to do with Toure himself, with Guardiola regarding Toure as too bulky and not fit enough to perform the type of hard-working pressing game that the Spanish coach wants from his players.It was a lean-looking Toure who took to the field against Palace on Saturday for only his second appearance of the season, and first since a virtually meaningless Champions League playoff match on Aug. 24. It was one of the most surprising selections of the season.Somewhat surprisingly, Toure played the full 90 minutes, despite his lack of recent game time, and proved to be the match-winner once again for City.Just like old times.His weight is perfect now, Guardiola said, and theres no doubt about his quality.Guardiola spoke in glowing terms about a player he sold when at Barcelona and then has overlooked in his short time at City, saying Toure is now a real part of the team and can help us achieve our targets.Theres even a chance Toure could be part of Citys squad for the knockout stage of the Champions League, should the club advance. Toure wasnt included in the squad for the group stage, so will lose his place when City plays Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday.If we are able to qualify in the Champions League, I will sit with my staff and we will decide who are the best players to help us to achieve what we want in the Champions League, Guardiola said.Ive spoken many times in the last month with Yaya because he was my player with Barcelona, I know him very well. I know how he is as a player. As a player, there is no doubt. If there was a doubt, he would not be here. He is another guy to compete with our midfield players.Toure, however, is unlikely to regain the untouchable status he had under Roberto Mancini and -- for most of his three-year reign -- Manuel Pellegrini.He is 33 years old and no longer the dynamic midfielder who powered City to significant victories and trophies since joining from Barcelona in 2010. His latest contract expires at the end of the season.Also, he has so much competition in midfield these days, with Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan ahead of him in the pecking order as central midfielders and both David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in front of him as attacking midfielders.Guardiola also has Fabian Delph, who is currently injured, and Fernando as other midfield options, as well as talented youngster Aleix Garcia.But Toure remains a great option for Guardiola to have. This weekend, for example, Guardiola turned to Toure after giving Gundogan and Silva a rest as they played twice for their countries in the international break.As backups go, there are worse options.I knew, Toure said, that one day my manager would need me.And his teammates are delighted that one of Citys greatest ever players is back. Toures departure from Etihad Stadium might not be so ugly, after all.It has not been easy for him in the past few weeks, City right back Bacary Sagna said. He kept working really hard in training, stayed professional, and that was his just reward.Fake Baseball Jerseys . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Fake Nike Baseball Jerseys . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. https://www.fakebaseballjerseys.com/ . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Fake Nike Baseball Jerseys China . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Nike Baseball Jerseys 2020 . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed.TORONTO -- Sidney Crosby was stewing after each of the first two periods in Game 2 of the World Cup of Hockey finals.When the final horn sounded, he was sporting an ear-to-ear smile.Crosby set up Patrice Bergerons game-tying goal with 2:53 left in the third period on a power play that paved the way for Brad Marchands short-handed goal with 43.1 seconds remaining to be the winner, lifting Canada to a 2-1 victory over Team Europe and the World Cup of Hockey title Thursday night.The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar was voted MVP of the best-on-best tournament, with a World Cup-high 10 points, just three months after winning his second Stanley Cup and earning the Conn Smythe as MVP of the playoffs.I dont have to look too far to think about how tough it was a year ago starting out the season, Crosby said. I think I appreciate this a lot.Crosby had a slow start last year in the NHL before finishing strong.Likewise, the Canadians struggled early in Game 2 before a furious and fantastic finish.Crosby was part of a scrum at the end of the first period in which his helmet was knocked off near Europes net at the end of the first period.After the second period ended, Crosby lingered on the icee to shout at Swiss defenseman Roman Josi.ddddddddddddCrosby was clearly frustrated at being kept off the scoresheet, playing with a pair of Boston Bruins, Marchand and Bergeron, who had combined for 22 points through the first five games.They were shut out through two periods. In the final period, though, each of them played a tangible part in the comeback.Crosby, as usual, led the way with his play at both ends of the rink.The player once known as Sid the Kid is now 29, playing perhaps the best hockey of a career that has always been under the microscope.Hes dealing with the big burden of carrying so much responsibility in a very calm way, said Europe coach Ralph Krueger, a Canadian, who was a consultant for coach Mike Babcock during the 2014 Olympics. I think it takes a lot of experiences to be able to settle into that. I saw him the first time at the world championships in Latvia in 2006 when he rocked the world stage for the first time.---Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage ' ' '