PEP'S EURO STOCK SOARS

De Bruyne goal sends City up to third in Champions League race

- BY ANDY DUNN Chief Sports Writer X@andydunnmirror

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.

Ahead of the game, comments from a Brazilian broadcaster suggested City boss Pep Guardiola would take a break from management when his Etihad contract ends in 2027. He later clarified his remarks, saying he would take a break whenever his time with City was over.