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‘King Kev’ returns in style, inspires Man City to a memorable comeback

By Samuel A.    January 14, 2024

Manchester City came back from 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 at Tyneside on Saturday evening, but the main headline was Kevin De Bruyne, as his return to Premier League action was capped with a goal and an assist. 

While City were trailing 2-1, the Belgium midfielder, who played in the league for the first time since injuring his hamstring back on the opening matchday of the season against Burnley, came on in the 69th minute and took less than four minutes to make an impact, grabbing the equaliser with a fine finish past Martin Dubravka. He wasn’t done there, as the 32 year-old’s magical pass to set up Oscar Bobb got there, and the youngster did well to net home, breaking Newcastle hearts and snatching all three points at St James’ Park.

“I’m so grumpy and upset with Kevin [De Bruyne] because his first touch was a free-kick and he couldn’t score,” said the Manchester City boss jokingly. “He’s a special player, a legend. He’s stretching his mind, five months is a long time and hopefully he can help us be there until the end in the second half of the season.”

Manchester City, who lost Ederson to injury in the eighth minute, put a difficult start to the game behind them as Bernardo Silva’s sublime backheel finish gave them a 26th-minute lead. However, Newcastle turned the game on its head with two goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon  in the space of about two minutes.

It set the stage for De Bruyne’s masterful 25-minute cameo in the second half as City secured a thrilling win which sees them move up to second in the table and pile the pressure on their title rivals as they look to secure a fourth straight Premier League crown.

De Bruyne said: “I’ve missed this. I had a big injury and I needed the time off but I worked hard. To come here, to this stadium, in this environment, I think it was more willpower than sharpness. I know I’m not able to do that for 90 minutes at the moment but I can put in a shift for 20-25 at full pace. I can feel it in my lungs with the cold, but it can’t be any better than this can it?”