Like clockwork, the title race is entering its climax and Kevin De Bruyne has hit the ground running. It’s all quite predictable.
Of course, we should be used to it by now. The great players come to life in the most important periods.
There aren’t many greater than De Bruyne. The brilliance of this Belgian magician never ceases to amaze.
If this virtuoso performance is a symbol of what is to come, then Liverpool and Arsenal have a big problem.
His brace here at Selhurst Park made it 100 goals for Manchester City. But his importance to City is measured by something more than the tangible.
Like clockwork, the title race is entering its climax and Kevin De Bruyne has hit the ground running.
The brilliance of this Belgian magician never ceases to surprise, especially in the big moments
De Bruyne scored twice to help Manchester City move level on points with Liverpool for now
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He is your talisman, your go-to person. After an injury-plagued campaign that limited De Bruyne to just 16 appearances, City were missing him.
But what happened at Selhurst Park is all there is to watch out for, the signs are ominous.
The “godfather of attacking midfielders” described Joe Cole after witnessing De Bruyne’s purr. Who can argue?
“I don’t know if he likes scoring more or giving advantages, but he did have a really good performance,” said his coach Pep Guardiola.
‘Today, without Kevin, we couldn’t win. He was special. “One of the best players in our history.”
For a time, however, City had to sweat: Jean-Phillipe Mateta put Crystal Palace ahead in the third minute after beating Stefan Ortega following an incisive pass from Adam Wharton.
The Eagles striker, a cult figure in these parts, accepted the praise but the precision of the pass was equally impressive.
Palace have developed a penchant for unearthing EFL gems, with Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi all putting in impressive performances in the Championship.
Rico Lewis found the net and Erling Haaland got his usual goal as City set the style
Jean-Philippe Mateta had given Palace the lead just three minutes after a mistake by John Stones.
Athletic director Dougie Freedman has discovered another talent at Wharton, one that has a promising balance of vision, work ethic and technical ability.
Guardiola, in his lively Latin style, made a gesture of displeasure with his arms. Nine minutes later he was blowing kisses.
There isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about De Bruyne. But the touch, the invention, the arch, the finish… wow!
Poor Dean Henderson had no chance, De Bruyne’s shot went over the goalkeeper before reaching the top right corner.
Palace, despite the final result, deserve credit; His performance was promising enough for Oliver Glasner to feel his team were picking up on his instructions, although they had Henderson to thank in the 19th minute after he denied Erling Haaland following an excellent pass from De Bruyne.
Jordan Ayew shot just wide before hitting the crossbar after a rare mistake by Rodri.
Odsonne Edouard turned home a late consolation for Palace but it was too little, too late.
Pep Guardiola joked that he didn’t know if De Bruyne prefers to score or assist goals.
It’s not that City were nervous, but their inability to take firmer control in the opening 45 minutes was testament to Palace’s industriousness and bravery in trying to overcome the Treble champions.
Indeed, Eze was denied a penalty following a VAR check following clumsy defending by Josko Gvardiol before Mateta fired into the side netting immediately after the restart.
However, City’s class finally said it. Rico Lewis beat Henderson, via a Lerma deflection, after a poor defensive header from Joachim Anderson following a Jack Grealish cross in the 47th minute, before Haaland scored the third from close range after Grealish, who was having a productive game, combined with De Bruyne.
Grealish was also involved in City’s fourth, passing the ball to Rodri, who set up De Bruyne to fire a wicked shot beyond Henderson.
“It’s been good, it’s been a very atypical season with injuries and comebacks,” De Bruyne added.
‘Sometimes I feel good, sometimes I feel a little bad about my body. I have tried to prepare as best as possible. “I try to do the job as well as possible and today I did it well.”
There was at least some positivity for Palace in the closing stages when Olise, after a two-month layoff, returned from a serious hamstring injury.
Since Glasner’s appointment in February, the south London side have won just once – against relegation-threatened Burnley.
Palace has now gone five years without winning. Next they travel to Anfield.
It’s been a difficult start for the Austrian, but Olise’s return (and first-half performance) provides some reasons for optimism, as does Edouard de Odsonne’s late goal which reduced the final deficit to two.
But for City, the feeling is one of expectation rather than hope. There always is at this point in the season.
They understand the requirements during this. They understand the report.
Perhaps most important of all, De Bruyne does it too.
If Kevin De Bruyne’s performance in Manchester City’s victory over Crystal Palace is a symbol of what is to come, Liverpool and Arsenal have big problems.