After a stunning five-month injury layoff, Kevin de Bruyne sent a “crazy” message to the Premier League as Oscar Bobb’s last-second goal pushed Manchester City to second place.
At St. James’ Park, Bobb came off the bench to score his first league goal and City’s third goal in a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Newcastle United.
Kevin de Bruyne produced a stunning performance as he starred against Newcastle on his return from injury
City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on De Bruyne after his goalscoring performance
However, De Bruyne’s 21-minute cameo, which tied the score and helped Bobb win, was the highlight of the game and demonstrated what Pep Guardiola has been lacking the entire season.
De Bruyne exclaimed, “I missed this.” I had a good time. More willpower than anything else, in my opinion. It was absurd. I am aware that right now I am unable to do that for ninety minutes.
Right now, I am able to work a shift that lasts thirty minutes. I can sense it in my lungs, particularly in the cold.
De Bruyne praised Bobb’s mature darting run, saying that he was better than Jack Grealish, even though City trailed leaders Liverpool by two points after 20 games. Grealish missed training for the entire week due to an illness that he is currently dealing with.
Standing over a dead ball just outside the Newcastle area, Guardiola believed that De Bruyne would change the game with his very first touch.
‘I am really disappointed in him and unhappy and grumpy because he didn’t score with the free kick,’ the City boss joked.
De Bruyne admitted after the match that he had ‘missed’ playing after his long-term injury
He is revered by our people, a legend, and we hope that in the final months, he will enable us to see the finish through.
“Without him, we play pretty much the same way, but we need players like Kevin or Erling [Haaland] to win games.”
“We know exactly what we have to do after eight years together,” he says, perceiving something exceptional in the last third. That is skill rather than tact.
Guardiola stated that City had declined to send their lucky charm back too soon after suffering a hamstring injury that may have delayed his recovery.
“We want to provide him with the appropriate care.” He is no longer 22 years old; he is one year older. The goal is to play for ninety minutes straight—I’m not sure when that will happen.
After a collision with Kyle Walker in the first few minutes, Ederson was taken out with a leg injury, but Guardiola anticipates the goalkeeper will be well when they return to league play at the end of the month.