The champions finally broke the longest winless run of Pep Guardiola’s coaching career with a rather unconvincing victory over high-flying Nottingham Forest, in a performance still riddled with nerves and mistakes.
But, after his manager refuted claims he had fallen out with the man who has been as key as any to the Guardiola City movement, De Bruyne proved the fire is still burning with a goal and an assist to drag his side out of the mire once more.
It was a statement performance that put pay to the growing army of naysayers who feel, somewhat understandably given he has won all there is to win and some in Manchester, that De Bruyne’s heart just isn’t in it anymore.
As City’s backline parted like the Red Sea at times in the first half, with Forest wasting some glorious openings to give Guardiola further sleepless nights, De Bruyne took the match away from the visitors with two clinical contributions that a profligate champions have been missing of late as their star man regained his full fitness.
This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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