In a much-needed turnaround for Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne made a victorious return, scoring one goal and assisting another in a decisive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. This match marked De Bruyne’s first start in over two months, following an abdominal injury sustained on September 18, and it was crucial in halting City’s recent stretch of poor form that had seen them go without a win in seven matches across all competitions.
De Bruyne’s influence was immediately apparent at the Etihad Stadium. He set the tone for the evening early on, helping Bernardo Silva open the scoring just eight minutes into the game. De Bruyne’s strong performance continued throughout, culminating in his own goal in the 31st minute, when he received a pass from Jeremy Doku and struck home confidently from inside the penalty area. Doku would later score himself in the second half, sealing the victory with a brilliant effort following a perfectly timed long ball from Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola expressed relief at the result, emphasizing the importance of breaking the team’s winless streak. “We needed it, the club, the players, everyone needed to win,” he said, acknowledging the pressure that had built up during the previous matches.
While there had been speculation surrounding a rift between De Bruyne and Guardiola, the Belgian showcased his leadership by wearing the captain’s armband and orchestrating play on the field. Guardiola praised De Bruyne, noting his significant contributions both offensively and defensively and hoping that he can continue to make an impact, despite concerns about his fitness for frequent games.
Nottingham Forest, while unable to capitalize on key opportunities, kept the match competitive. Chris Wood missed a vital chance to equalize, shooting wide in a one-on-one situation. The defeat leaves Forest in seventh place, while City climbed to provisional fourth in the Premier League table.
This match serves as a hopeful turning point for Manchester City, as they look to regain their form and momentum in the season ahead. With the return of De Bruyne, fans and teammates alike have reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.