- The Belgian playmaker took a handful of touches before finding the net
- De Bruyne was sidelined due to a long-term injury, but made a comeback with a goal
- Is it a midlife crisis for De Bruyne? A great player, but what about the new look? Is he recording a song? Go back to being boring Kevin! It all starts
Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the Premier League in style with a stunning goal from outside the box.
With his side trailing 2-1 at St James Park after an electric first half, De Bruyne was brought on for goalscorer Bernardo Silva in the second half.
Within a handful of touches, the Belgian star had found the back of the net and fired level with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
The Belgian playmaker found the back of the net with just his fifth touch and minutes later provided an assist to seal victory for his Manchester City side on the road.
In injury time, the Belgian provided a perfect pass for Oscar Bobb, a 20-year-old Norweigan who was enjoying his first goal in the Premier League.
De Bruyne immediately came on as he leveled the score for Man City
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De Bruyne made a triumphant return from injury, with a goal and assist to his name
He came on for Bernardo Silva in the second half against Newcastle
Fans were quick to share their elation at the Belgian’s stylish return to the English top-flight via social media.
One wrote: ‘Classic goal from De Bruyne. He’s really back
“Kevin De Bruyne is heating up and the whole country is shaking,” wrote another.
‘OH MY WORD KEVIN DE BRUYNE WHAT A PLAYER!!!!!!’ Another fan posted and enjoyed the goal.
Despite St James Park providing the backdrop for De Bruyne’s triumphant return, the Belgian enjoyed an assist in Man City’s FA Cup tie with Huddersfield.
It took De Bruyne just 17 minutes to assist Jeremy Doku with a precise cross after coming on as a second-half substitute in their 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield last weekend.
Although the midfielder turns 33 in June, there is no doubt his return will impact the title race.
With clashes against Liverpool and Arsenal looming, the Belgian’s return could be decisive after scoring and assisting in wins over both sides last season.
Pep Guardiola said he was ‘delighted’ to see Kevin De Bruyne back on the pitch after his five-month injury and called the 32-year-old a ‘game changer’ after Manchester City’s victory over Huddersfield.
City fans gave the Belgian midfielder a standing ovation and chanted his name when Guardiola brought him on in the 57th minute of their 5-0 victory over Huddersfield in the FA Cup.
De Bruyne took the armband and marked his return to action with a stunning assist, giving Jeremy Doku the lead in the 74th minute and securing City’s fifth and final goal of the afternoon.