In what could be remembered as one of the defining performances of his final season at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne rolled back the years to lead a thrilling 5-2 comeback victory against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium today. In his first home appearance since announcing his departure at the end of the season, the Belgian maestro reminded fans of his brilliance, orchestrating City’s fightback with a goal and an assist in a characteristically influential display.
City's hopes of securing Champions League qualification were hanging by a thread when Palace stunned the home crowd with two early goals. Eberechi Eze tapped in from an Ismaila Sarr cross in the 8th minute, before Chris Richards rose highest to head home from a corner in the 21st, capitalizing on a rare Ederson error. The visitors, boasting the best defensive record on the road this season, looked poised to pull off a major upset.
However, De Bruyne had other ideas.
After striking the post with a thunderous long-range effort, he halved the deficit in the 33rd minute with a stunning free-kick his 70th Premier League goal. Just three minutes later, Omar Marmoush smashed in the equalizer after De Bruyne’s header was deflected into his path. The Egyptian's seventh goal since arriving in January was a vital blow to Palace’s confidence.
City returned from halftime with renewed energy, and De Bruyne continued to dictate the tempo. Two minutes into the second half, he teed up Mateo Kovacic on the edge of the box, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. That assist marked De Bruyne’s 28th Premier League match with both a goal and an assist a feat bettered by only four players in league history.
The momentum was firmly with City, and it was the perfect day for their younger talents to shine. James McAtee marked his first Premier League start with a goal, racing onto Ederson’s long ball the goalkeeper’s fourth assist of the season, a record for a Premier League keeper and rounding Dean Henderson to score. Then, with 11 minutes left, 20-year-old Nico O'Reilly capped the comeback with a powerful volley from the edge of the box, netting his first Premier League goal.
De Bruyne’s performance was a timely reminder of his enduring class despite recent injury setbacks. Speaking after the match, he reflected on the difficult year he’s had, dealing with a hernia injury but now feeling pain-free and ready to play on. Though his future beyond City remains uncertain, he emphasized the importance of choosing what’s best for his family, stating, “If I can play football and my family is happy, I’m good.”
City’s win lifted them back into the top four, but their Champions League hopes still hang in the balance with Chelsea and Newcastle in close pursuit. Regardless, De Bruyne’s legacy at City seems destined to end on a high, especially if he can help deliver one final trophy before his departure.
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