Kevin De Bruyne is turning into Manchester City’s ultimate big-game hunter - and make no mistake, this clash with the feisty Seagulls WAS a big game. After Liverpool’s ruthless destruction of an abysmal Manchester United the night before, City needed a win, and if possible a statement win, that would take them back to the top of the Premier League.
For 45 minutes it looked like Graham Potter’s stubborn side were capable of giving the Merseysiders a huge advantage heading into the final six games of the season. De Bruyne took matters into his own hand with a trademark driving run that brought Riyad Mahrez his 23rd - and most important - goal of the campaign - and after Phil Foden had rifled in a second, the Belgian brilliantly teed up Bernardo Silva for a third that made inroads into Liverpool’s superior goal difference.
It was the kind of moment that Yaya Toure used to provide for the Blues at the sharp end of the season., all about powerful running, delicate touch and a brilliant football brain. He did not score but had a hand in two, and has already netted six times in his last eight appearances, including huge strikes against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.
