Yaya Toure on the FA Cup

It’s quite rare that, as a footballer, you can claim to have made history.
Winning games and scoring goals is incredible, but usually people forget you
have even done it after a week.





But there are some occasions which will always be remembered, not just for the
result but for what it meant for the team’s supporters. The day Manchester
City won the FA
Cup against Stoke
City in May is one of those – the first time we had won a trophy in
35 years – and the fact I was lucky enough to score the winning goal just
makes me feel even more privileged.



I knew this was a special competition. As a kid in the Ivory Coast, I would
watch the final on television. I remember seeing Gianfranco Zola, a
brilliant guy, playing for Chelsea and thinking how colourful and passionate
the crowd was.



Even then it was obvious how important the tournament’s traditions were. In
other countries where I have played, such as Spain and Greece, nobody cares
too much about the cup and the big clubs put out their second teams. But in
the FA Cup we were playing our top side from the first round. I could hardly
believe it.



The day itself was a bit of a blur. We stayed the night at The Grove Hotel,
just outside London, and tried to stay as calm as possible.



The more nervous you are before a big game, the more you feel the pressure.
So, we went for a walk through the gardens that morning to try to relax.