FA Cup final: Yaya Toure eager to maintain momentum at Manchester City

City play Wigan at Wembley on Saturday

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure (GETTY IMAGES)

When Yaya Toure signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City last month, he did so with occasions such as Saturday's FA Cup final in mind.

The inspirational midfielder wrote his name into City folklore in the 2011 final when he scored the goal that secured the club's first trophy in 35 years.

That success was followed by last year's stunning Barclays Premier League title win and Toure wants this glorious new era to continue with another Wembley victory against Wigan this weekend.

Toure has been City's driving force since arriving from Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2009, three years ago.

His brilliance throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium led to speculation suggesting he might move on this summer but, having grown attached to the City project and their ambition to win trophies, he committed to a new deal.

The 29-year-old said: "It is very important. That's why I came to City, to make history, to be part of the history of the club and to help the club achieve things.

"It is not finished here yet. I want to do my best to achieve the most trophies that is possible.

"I hope we win the trophy this year because it is very important for us.

"I love to play big games because the big matches are so important and I am so determined.

"For me the most important thing is to be 100 per cent right, to be at the top level, because to win those trophies or even win one Premier League is so difficult.

"You need to work so hard in training to be as good as possible."

City's season has not reached the heights of the voyage of discovery that led to their drought-ending success in 2011 or last year's exhilarating title win.

Their title defence was underwhelming and they slumped out of the Champions League at the group stage.

But while the acceleration of their progress may have slowed, they can still end the campaign handsomely, and maintain the trophy-winning momentum, by securing second place and the FA Cup.

City are odds-on favourites against the relegation-threatened Latics at Wembley but Toure has warned there can be no complacency.

He said: "It is always difficult. You have to be prepared, you have to be focused and, the moment the game is coming, do your best because your opponent will always try to give you a difficult time.

"But with the quality we have and with the players we have, I think we can win."

Toure has declared himself fit for the final after leaving the action early at Swansea last weekend due to fatigue and being rested for the midweek defeat of West Brom.

Wigan's achievement in reaching the showpiece clash has been overshadowed by their battle against the drop from the Premier League.

But despite their problems, they continue to earn plaudits for their play and they outplayed City for large spells of their 1-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium last month.

Toure said: "Wigan are a top side and they play very good football.

"I think it will be the same. Wigan are a great team, with a great manager and they have quality players.

"They play good football and we need to be focused and need to be concentrating."

PA