Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini heaped praise on matchwinner Yaya Toure after victory over Swansea City.
Toure powered forward in typical fashion to drive home City's winner as they came from behind to win 2-1 in a tight Barclays Premier League tussle at the Etihad Stadium.
Toure, City's midfield driving force last season, has been below par for much of the current campaign but his latest performance, particularly in the second half, hinted at a return to form.
His influential performance secured a crucial victory as City prevented leaders Chelsea from extending their eight-point advantage over them.
Pellegrini said: "I think it is important for Yaya.
"He played for his national squad on Wednesday, so he played two games in a week, and maybe he was tired - but he had the personality and the character to try to continue playing until the end. I think he played very well.
"But we cannot analyse all (the time) with Yaya if he scores or doesn't. It is impossible for Yaya to score again the amount of goals he scored last season. That was not normal. He is not a striker, he is a midfielder.
"But it is important for him to score the way he did today, and it is important for him to play well. I think Yaya is improving with every game."
