Half-Time Report: Yaya Toure brace puts Manchester City in control at West Bromwich Albion

Manchester City have established a healthy 2-0 half-time lead in their Premier League opener away at West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of a brace from Yaya Toure.

The visitors dominated possession in the opening stages before taking an early lead through the Ivorian midfielder, whose shot from just outside the box took a deflection and dribbled past the goal line.

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It continued to be one-way traffic as Manuel Pellegrini's charges passed the ball around with ease and left their opponents dumbfounded.

Before long, City had doubled their lead courtesy of their talismanic midfielder, who played a one-two with Wilfried Bony before coolly lashing the ball into the back of the net from 20 yards.

West Brom had to wait until the half-hour mark before even registering their first shot at goal, a wayward 35-yard free kick from debutant Rickie Lambert.

The latter stages of the half saw a surge in action as Raheem Sterling was played in clean through on goal, but his shot was weak and easily stopped by Boaz Myhill.

Moments after that chance the hosts broke and Saido Berahino got the ball into the back of the net, only for the referee to call offside on the move.