Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has leapt to the defence of Yaya Toure, claiming the midfield powerhouse has been unfairly criticised this season.
After only two wins from their last five games in all competitions, City have come under scrutiny with Pellegrini believing the Ivory Coast midfielder often takes the brunt - although the manager did admit his body language could play a part.
'Maybe it's more the image, the body language,' said Pellegrini.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has come under fire for his form this season
Toure recently complained after missing out to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (centre) for the African Footballer of the Year award
Manager Manuel Pellegrini insists that critcism of former Barcelona midfielder Toure is sometimes unfair
'I said also last week that you review the numbers of Yaya after each game and he runs as much as every midfielder.'
City travel to Norwich for their FA Cup third round clash on Saturday with Toure expected to feature despite a hectic fixture list - with Pellegrini insisting the 32-year-old, who has scored three goals in his last five games, should not be questioned over his form.
'It's difficult for the manager [to drop him] because he's a very good player. He's a player who makes the difference,' Pellegrini said.
'Every time that maybe we don't have the score that we need or that we deserve, always you're saying 'What happened about Yaya?'
'Remember that Yaya in the last games he scored three times, very important goals.
Pellegrini conceded that the Ivory Coast midfielder's body language could be responsible
Toure, pictured scoring against Watford, has netted three goals in his last five games
'Maybe against Everton [in the League Cup] he didn't play very, very well, but as [with] every player, he has better or worse games.
'You cannot always talk about he doesn't run or because he's older, everyone can have a bad game.'
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