The Daily FitPlay: Health, Sports & Entertainment Insights

Fitness. Sports. Entertainment. All in One Place

De Bruyne dazzles as City end winless run

Rachel07 mins


Kevin De Bruyne stole the show as Manchester City ended their miserable recent run with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.

The Belgian, returning to the starting line-up for the first time in more than two months, bagged a goal and an assist as Pep Guardiola’s side earned their first win in seven games in all competitions.

Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Docu were also on the scoresheet on a night when the Premier League champions looked more like their former selves.

It is now 31 games unbeaten for Guardiola’s side when De Bruyne started, although there were still signs of defensive frailty in City’s ranks.

Forest had very few clear-cut chances as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side dropped to seventh in the table.

How did it happen?

A light show preceded the clash between fifth and sixth in the table on a rainy night in Manchester.

And it was a sign of things to come as City’s returning star shone brighter at the Etihad.

Haaland was on target inside five minutes, but his right-footed strike could only find the palms of Matz Sels in the Forest goal.

Moments later, however, City’s early pressure paid off when Ilkay Gundogan’s run into the box was missed. The German whipped in a cross that found De Bruyne, who sent his header back into the net, where Bernardo Silva was waiting to put the ball home.

The goal seemed to inspire confidence in City. Spearheaded by De Bruyne and flanked by Silva and Jack Grealish, the hosts began to roar.

Silva’s cross found Josko Guardiol’s header but the Croatia international missed the target when he perhaps should have done better.

It was Gvardiol’s fault then as Forest came close to leveling matters when he was sent off down City’s left. The ball found its way to Morgan Gibbs-White but his effort was cleared by Ortega.

Gvardiol was again at the heart of the action when he slid in from Haaland, but the marauding defender could only turn his shot wide of the post.

De Bruyne then saw his effort saved as City began to dominate. Despite the attacking threat, however, Guardiola’s side failed to shake the defensive vulnerability they have shown of late.

And they were lucky to stay in front when the in-form Forest Chris Wood, who brought down on goal, sent his shot wide.

But failure would prove costly. Seconds later, Guardiola’s side doubled their lead when Jeremy Doku fed compatriot De Bruyne just inside the box and the Belgian made no mistake as he fired the ball into the top corner of the net.

Both teams made changes at the break but it was the visitors who flew out of the traps in the second period. Murillo sent a long-range effort just over the bar as Forest showed no sign of letting up.

But they succumbed to a third when on 56 minutes Haaland found Doku who cut inside and curled a fine finish into the far corner.

City were now on cruise control, but the specter of their recent 3-3 draw with Feyenoord loomed large.

De Bruyne almost hit the post but Sels did well to tip his shot around the post.

Sels held firm as he saved from Grealish before De Bruyne was substituted to a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Anthony Elanga smashed an effort over the bar, while Elliott Anderson’s shot was saved by Ortega.

It was all Forest could muster as Doku, meanwhile, bent the visitors’ defense but failed to keep his shot.

Nathan Ake was forced off with a suspected muscle injury but it was an otherwise enjoyable night for the champions.

And maybe, just maybe, a turning of the tide.



Related News