Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne made a triumphant return to the starting lineup, scoring one goal and assisting another in a commanding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. This match, held on Wednesday, marked the end of City’s frustrating four-game losing streak in the Premier League.
In a crucial performance, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku also found the net, helping to snap City’s seven-match winless run across all competitions. Following this victory, Pep Guardiola’s squad climbed to fourth in the league standings, while Nottingham Forest slipped to seventh.
De Bruyne had not started a match since suffering an abdominal injury on September 18. His impact was evident early on, as he contributed to City’s opening goal just eight minutes into the game, with his header leading to a close-range finish by Silva.
Guardiola expressed relief at the victory, stating, “We needed it, the club, the players, everyone needed to win. The most important thing, of course, was to break this routine of not winning games, and finally, we won.”
De Bruyne added to the tally in the 31st minute, receiving a pass from Doku and firing a precise shot from just within the penalty area. Doku sealed the win in the 57th minute, finishing off a beautifully executed move from a long ball supplied by Erling Haaland.
De Bruyne’s leadership was apparent on the pitch as well; despite speculation surrounding a potential rift between him and Guardiola due to his injuries, he was awarded the captain’s armband and delivered a stellar performance. “He played really good,” Guardiola praised. “Defensively he helped us a lot. I’m very pleased. He’s an incredible person whose contributions over the years have been outstanding. Maybe he can’t play every three days, but hopefully, he can keep helping us.”
Nottingham Forest had their chances to score, notably when Chris Wood missed a one-on-one opportunity against keeper Stefan Ortega, who had been selected ahead of Ederson for the second consecutive game. Ortega showcased his skills with a fantastic save from Morgan Gibbs-White’s power shot early in the match.
This win not only revitalizes Manchester City’s campaign but also highlights the importance of De Bruyne’s return to form. With key players back in action, City fans can remain hopeful as the season progresses.
The result signifies a potential turning point for Guardiola’s side, as they aim to regain their form and challenge for the title in the coming weeks.