Kev never phased by goal drought

KEVIN de Bruyne scored his first goal in over three months as City routed Crystal Palace.

Wayne Hennessey allowed the Belgian’s shot to creep in to the far corner of the goal, rounding off a fine individual performance for the Blues ace.

De Bruyne’s struggles in front of goal – certainly compared to last season – tell the story of City’s shortcomings this season.

He has hit the woodwork a whopping nine times in the league – three more than any other player – and chalked up another against Palace with a free-kick that grazed the bar.

Guardiola has cited his missed chance against Chelsea as one of the key moments in their campaign, and a lack of goals has cost the Blues too often.

De Bruyne was happy to be back on the scoresheet, and has not been worried by his lack of goals.

“It’s always nice to score,” he said. “I’ve not really been looking, I’ve been doing my thing, but I know I’ve hit the bar and post a lot.

“It’s just the way it goes. One time it will go in and the other time you will miss.

“It’s just unlucky. It’s always close and sometimes it just goes in off the post, but this year it has always been going out.

“The accuracy is there, you just need a little bit more.”

Two assists for the playmaker took him to 15 in the league – no City player has managed more in a single campaign – with three games still to play.