Kelvin De Bruyne reached club’s 100th goals against Crystal Palace.
Manchester City’s triumph over Crystal Palace in a thrilling 4-2 victory saw Pep Guardiola laud Kevin De Bruyne as a titan in the club’s history.
De Bruyne’s stellar performance, marked by two goals, including his 100th for the club, showcased his unparalleled influence.
Guardiola’s praise underscored De Bruyne’s pivotal role in securing the win, as City maintained their relentless pursuit of Premier League frontrunners Liverpool and Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola press statement after Victory over Crystal Palace.
“Today Kevin won the game. Without Kevin today maybe we would not be able to win, so when we talk about tactics, about managers, having players like Kevin in these kinds of games, it’s easy.
“I listen to him on the bus, in the locker room, in the training session, (he) laughs, and we are safe. His body language dictates a lot how he is, and all the players, but especially Kevin.
“How many years has he been with us, nine years, 10 years? The numbers, the presence, the consistency have been amazing. He’s one of the best players in the history of Manchester City.”
De Bruyne also spoke on club’s website:
“Yeah, it’s funny. I had a conversation with Erling [Haaland] and Phil [Foden] and said the only goal I want is to score 100 before you guys.
“Erling was like 18 behind but he would probably score that in two games.
“It’s a proud moment. It means that I’ve had longevity here. It means a lot of good moments for this club.”
De Bruyne Marvels at his wonder strike against Crystal Palace.
“Top bins” 😆💬 @kevindebruyne reacts to his wonder-strike! 🔝🗑️ pic.twitter.com/09ZkzvG2rZ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 6, 2024
Despite Palace’s spirited display, highlighted by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early opener and a late consolation from Odsonne Edouard, City asserted dominance with Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland adding to their tally.
However, Guardiola acknowledged the challenges posed by City’s congested fixture list, with pivotal clashes against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Chelsea in the FA Cup looming.
Guardiola added: “We were not solid like we normally are in terms of organisation, transition, but especially we gave away the first goal, but this is more a consequence for the fact that three days, three days, three days.
“The mental energy that we waste more than physicality is tremendous and that’s why sometimes that happens.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner’s tenure, continued to struggle for consistency, securing only one victory since Roy Hodgson’s departure.
While the team exhibited flashes of promise, particularly evidenced by Jordan Ayew’s near miss, Glasner emphasized the need for improvement from his squad.
Glasner: “For me it’s a little bit difficult, because when you lose 4-2 I’m never satisfied or happy with the result, but I could see many positive things today in our game.
“We can see if we do our job, how we want to play on a very high level. We are competitive against any team and this gives me confidence again.”
As City prepares for further tests on multiple fronts, Palace faces an uphill battle to revive their campaign under new leadership.
