Kevin De Bruyne made a spectacular return to the pitch, scoring one goal and assisting another in his first start in over two months, as Manchester City decisively defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Wednesday. This victory marked an end to City’s troubling four-match losing streak in the Premier League and lifted them to fourth in the league table, while Forest dropped to seventh.
De Bruyne, who had been sidelined since September 18 due to an abdominal injury, made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium. He initiated the scoring in the eighth minute by directing a header toward the goal, allowing Bernardo Silva to capitalize and slot the ball home from close range. In the 31st minute, De Bruyne netted a goal himself, seizing a pass from Jeremy Doku and firing a shot just inside the penalty area.
Doku further cemented City’s dominance by scoring in the 57th minute, expertly receiving a long ball from Erling Haaland, cutting into the box, and placing the ball into the far corner of the net. City’s fans were thrilled to see De Bruyne back in action, especially as he wore the captain’s armband after speculation about potential tensions between him and coach Pep Guardiola. Guardiola praised De Bruyne’s performance, lauding his defensive contributions and recognizing his outstanding legacy with the club. He commented, “He’s an incredible person. What he’s done these years with us has been outstanding.”
Nottingham Forest had their chances, notably when Chris Wood missed a golden opportunity to equalize by shooting wide on a one-on-one situation with City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega. Ortega, filling in for Ederson for the second consecutive game, made a fantastic diving save early on, denying a powerful shot from Morgan Gibbs-White.
This match serves as a hopeful turning point for Manchester City. With De Bruyne’s return and a comprehensive victory, there’s renewed optimism surrounding the team’s performance as they aim to regain their footing in the league. Coach Guardiola emphasized the significance of this win for both the players and the club, suggesting this could be the spark needed to reignite their season.
In summary, De Bruyne’s impactful performance not only showcased his leadership and skill but also provided a much-needed boost for Manchester City in their quest to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League standings.