THE FINAL SERENADE

Fans are on song to salute King Kevin

- by ANDY DUNN

IT WAS not the very cleanest of strikes but it typified the career-long work of one of the finest players to grace the Premier League.

Calm, composed, clever, minimum of fuss. It remains hard to believe that Kevin De Bruyne is being allowed to walk away from the Etihad.

His body turns 34 at the end of next month but his footballing brain remains wonderfully bright.

In his note announcing his farewell tour, De Bruyne said he was making it his mission to ensure City’s Champions League participation continued next season.

And this goal could end up being decisive in that challenge.

When he was replaced by Phil Foden with six minutes left, the Etihad fans rose to acclaim their hero with their traditional chant ringing out from all corners of the ground.

Ahead of the game comments ema-nating from a Brazilian broadcaster suggested Guardiola would take a break from management when his Etihad contract ends in 2027.