Guardiola hails De Bruyne as one of the best in City’s history
Midfielder at the double as he runs the show for champions
PEP GUARDIOLA hailed Kevin De Bruyne as “one of the best players in the history of Manchester City” after the Belgian scored two goals in their victory at Crystal Palace. De Bruyne cancelled out JeanPhilippe Mateta’s early opener before Rico Lewis fired the visitors into the lead less than two minutes after half time.
Guardiola’s men then took control, with Erling Haaland adding another before De Bruyne struck his 100th in a City shirt in the 70th minute.
Odsonne Edouard clawed one back for Palace late on, but Guardiola praised the influence of Belgium playmaker De Bruyne as City kept up the pressure on Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
City boss Guardiola said: “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, t he presence, t he consistency have been amazing. He’s one of the best players in the history of Manchester City.”
De Bruyne told his club’s website: “Yeah, it’s f unny. 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.”
City have a quick turnaround before facing Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night, and their boss admitted their crowded calendar – which will also see them face Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinals this month – continues to prove challenging.
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 have still won just one match since Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in February.
They showed plenty of promise, particularly in a determined first half that saw Jordan Ayew hit the crossbar, but their boss wanted more from his men.
Glasner said: “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.”
With safety all but secured, the interesting proposition for Palace is now how they might affect the title chase.
Arsenal and City will be keeping their eye on the south Londoners, who travel to Liverpool next weekend.
Mateta gave the home support – as well as the Gunners and Liverpool – something to smile about with a low strike that clipped the inside of the far post before crossing over for the opener.
January signing Adam Wharton, who earned the assist, next tried setting up Eberechi Eze but overpowered the pass before City broke back and t ested Dean Henderson with efforts from Julian Alvarez and Rodri, the latter calling the Palace shot- stopper into a particularly fine punch.
There was little Henderson could do to stop De Bruyne, who curled into the top right corner for a brilliant finish to draw the sides level in the 13th minute.
Palace replied with determination, enjoying another spell inside City’s final third, and the frenetic pace finally ebbed as the visitors took control and piled on the pressure.
Haaland, through on goal, forced Henderson into a save and Alvarez sent an effort wide, though it was Jordan Ayew who came closest to altering the scoreline before the break after he picked the pocket of Rodri, holding his head in his hands after watching his powerful effort clip the crossbar.
The Eagles wanted a penalty when Josko Gvardiol barged into Eze on the stroke of half time, and while referee Paul Tierney brushed off their protests, the home support had plenty to cheer about their side’s performance in the first period.
Lewis took the wind out of their sails less than two minutes after the r est ar t , br i nging down Jack Grealish’s cross, his shot from near the penalty spot taking a slight deflection off Jefferson Lerma before going in.
More chances came City’s way, first through Alvarez then Grealish from a corner and De Bruyne before the hour before De Bruyne and Haaland combined for the visitors’ third.
It took just four minutes more for De Bruyne to bag his brace, drilling past Henderson to pad City’s lead in the 70th minute, after which Palace boss Glasner introduced a host of substitutes including Michael Olise, who had not played since Palace’s 4-1 loss to Brighton on February 3.
He set up fellow substitute Edouard for a golden chance, and after squandering t he i nitial opportunity he made up for the miss when he poked past Stefan Ortega in the 86th minute.
Grealish wanted more with a late chance in second-half stoppage time but sent his effort over.