MANCHESTER, 13 January 2024Â Kevin De Bruyne made a triumphant return to Premier League action after a five-month absence, inspiring Manchester City to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Newcastle on Saturday. The Belgian maestro came off the bench, scoring and assisting Oscar Bobb’s stoppage-time winner, signalling his comeback from a long-term hamstring injury in style.
City faced a disrupted start as goalkeeper Ederson was injured while attempting to prevent Sean Longstaff from scoring. The goal was ruled out for offside, but City was left frustrated as the flag was not raised earlier to protect Ederson.
Despite dominating the opening half-hour, City lacked the finishing touch until Bernardo Silva’s brilliant backheel from Kyle Walker’s cross broke the deadlock on 26 minutes. Newcastle, however, responded with two stunning goals in quick succession from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
The second half saw City regain control, and the return of De Bruyne proved decisive. The Belgian midfielder, absent since the opening day of the season, showcased his brilliance by scoring a precise finish from outside the box. De Bruyne’s remarkable pass over the top set up Oscar Bobb’s winner, securing City’s comeback victory.
The win propels City to second place in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Liverpool by just two points. The champions are now well-positioned for a strong comeback after the two-week winter break, with the potential addition of Erling Haaland to the lineup.
While City celebrates, Newcastle, facing a sixth defeat in seven Premier League games, slides to 10th place, realistically denting their hopes of a top-four finish and remaining 11 points adrift of the Champions League places.
