Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola hails Kevin de Bruyne's performance after 7-0 demolition of Leeds United

Kevin de Bruyne scored a brace on his first league start in a month in Manchester City's 7-0 demolition of Leeds United.

Kevin De Bruyne in a file photo; Credit: Manchester City Twitter
By Sreejith C R | Dec 15, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hailed midfielder Kevin de Bruyne’s performance in his side’s 7-0 demolition of Leeds United in the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. The 30-year-old scored a brace while Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones and Nathan Ake also got on the score sheet to register City’s biggest win of the season. Meanwhile it was also their seventh consecutive league win. De Bruyne who was making his first league start since recovering from COVID-19 was ‘phenomenal’ in the attacking third.

Guardiola said: “He’s phenomenal. We need him. He’s so important for us. He is devastating. He can do what he wants.”

The Belgium international was sidelined after contracting corona virus in November but he ran the show against Leeds, scoring two goals and the second one was a stunning one.

The playmaker smashed the  ball into the roof of the net from outside the box, two minutes after the hour mark. It was a typical De Bruyne goal- accurate and powerful long-ranger.

He was linking up pretty well with Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan and was picking up the forward runs of the wingers with his precise passing. His first goal was set up by Rodri. The Spaniard played a brilliant through ball to find the run of De Bruyne on the left side of the penalty area and the 30-year-old slotted the ball past Illan Meslier at the near post.

“He is humble enough to accept he has to work,” added Guardiola. “He trained really well in the last two days and in a type of game like this, which is a little bit more open, he is the best.

“We are really pleased because we miss him. We have been together six seasons and what he has done for me is everything.

We are very pleased he is coming back: Guardiola

After recovering from an injury he sustained during last year’s Champions League final against Chelsea, De Bruyne hasn’t been in top form, He has been hot and cold. Guradiola also admitted that the Belgian struggled during the initial phase of the season. 

“We are very pleased he is coming back, step by step, because he struggled at the beginning of the season a lot. Hopefully, now he can retain this rhythm longer because we need him.” said Guardiola.

De Bruyne said: “A lot has happened this year, a little bit out of my control. At the time I was coming back, I got Covid. It happened and now we are working hard to come back to a good level.

“I think we played incredibly well.”

Guardiola also praised the Manchester City fans, having previously criticised poor attendances at the Etihad, especially at midweek games.

“The vibe of the stadium was phenomenal,’ he added. ‘It was sold out, when this happens the players felt it, thank you so much to all of them. To give this performance to them was a pleasure.”

The win helped City to take a four point lead at the summit of the points table. 





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