Guardiola: ‘Legend’ De Bruyne can lead Man City title charge

Pep Guardiola hailed Kevin De Bruyne as a “legend” after the midfielder registered a aim and an help on his Premier League return to assist Manchester City to a dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United.

De Bruyne got here on as a 69th-minute substitute with City 2-1 down at St James’ Park earlier than scoring to make it 2-2 after which establishing 20-year-old Oscar Bobb for a 91st-minute winner.

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It was the Belgian’s first league look since August after spending 5 months on the sidelines due to a hamstring damage that required surgical procedure to right.

“He is a legend,” mentioned Guardiola. “I had the feeling he is not ready for 90 minutes after five months so we have that situation, impact in the last minutes.

“The aim and the help, he’s beloved by our folks and hopefully within the final months he can assist us be there to the tip.”

The result, which looked unlikely when Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored in the space of two first-half minutes to put Newcastle 2-1 up after Bernardo Silva’s opener, moves City up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

And after an exhilarating evening, Guardiola felt emboldened to talk up his team’s chances of winning a record fourth Premier League title in a row.

“The staff is alive,” he said.

“Why ought to we not attempt it once more? We received three [titles] in a row, 5 within the final six, so why not? It’s actually essential as a result of Liverpool are flying over the past month and we now have to go to Anfield so it is higher to be near them.”

The one downside for City was an injury to Ederson that forced the Brazilian goalkeeper off the field inside five minutes.

Guardiola’s team don’t play again until their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham on Jan. 26, and Guardiola is hopeful the problem isn’t serious.

“He has a giant knock,” said the City manager.

“I did not communicate to the physician. But only a knock, he can be effective as he would not play for 10 days.”