Our writers investigate Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliance lifts Manchester City, but Graham Potter’s return to Brighton turns into a nightmare. In addition, Liverpool’s soft center was once again exposed in their late defeat to Leeds.
It is concerning for the rest of the Premier League that Man City manager Pep Guardiola believes Kevin De Bruyne is only just beginning to regain the form that has earned him the title of the best midfielder in the Premier League.
De Bruyne scored the game-winning goal for City against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday night, arching in a 25-yard free-kick early in the second half to settle a tight contest and send his team to the top of the table.
That goal was the 31-year-third old’s in the Premier League this season, following his goal against Brighton last weekend, and he also has a Premier League-high nine assists. And his manager says De Bruyne is now back to his best.
“Kevin can do free-kicks, we know it,” Guardiola said after the game. “But he is a player who needs his dynamic. He has the quality when he moves, he needs movement and today he was back.
“We need him. It is not about he can’t do it. Over the past seven years, we have done everything together, except the Champions League.
“I know him quite well. Nothing is going to change my opinion of him or what he has done for this club or for me personally.
“But I have the duty in my job to say I want more. In the game against Brighton, he scored a fantastic goal, but we need more. He can do that blind, naturally. We need both and today was the case.”
Richard Morgan
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