Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the starting lineup with impressive contributions, scoring one goal and assisting another, as Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Wednesday. This victory ended a frustrating four-match losing streak in the Premier League and also halted a seven-match winless run across all competitions for the team.
Alongside De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku found the back of the net, helping propel Pep Guardiola’s side to fourth place in the league standings, while Nottingham Forest slipped to seventh. De Bruyne’s impact was felt immediately at the Etihad Stadium; he initiated the scoring in the eighth minute, heading towards goal, which allowed Silva to nudge the ball in from close range.
Guardiola expressed his relief after the match, stating, “We needed it, the club, the players, everyone needed to win.” He emphasized that breaking the negative cycle of not winning was crucial, and finally getting a win was a positive turn for the team.
De Bruyne himself scored in the 31st minute, receiving a pass from Doku and firing a precise shot from just inside the penalty area. Doku then added a third goal in the 57th minute, skillfully controlling a long pass from Erling Haaland before finishing sharply into the corner of the net.
After starting as a substitute in his last five appearances, including during a loss to league leaders Liverpool, De Bruyne’s performance dispelled any speculation regarding a rift between him and Guardiola. The 33-year-old captain not only demonstrated his on-field prowess but also led the team effectively. Guardiola praised him, saying, “He played really good… I’m really pleased. He’s an incredible person.”
Nottingham Forest had multiple opportunities to score, notably a missed chance by Chris Wood, who, one-on-one with keeper Stefan Ortega, shot wide. This miss proved costly as De Bruyne struck just moments later to double City’s lead. Guardiola opted for Ortega over Ederson for the second consecutive match, and the German keeper delivered, making an exceptional save early on from a powerful shot by Morgan Gibbs-White.
This win signals a positive shift for Manchester City, as they look to build momentum in the league and reclaim their dominant form. Fans and players alike will be hopeful that this victory can set the stage for success in the upcoming matches.