It's that simple. Kevin De Bruyne has only been on the football field twelve times this season, but he is now in double figures. With friend Erling Haaland, KDB went all out against Luton Town: five goals for one and four goals for the other. Machines.
New week, new content. Concerns about his overworked hamstrings are behind him. Upon his return to the starting lineup, after a few days of mandatory rest, Kevin De Bruyne showed his brilliance once again. With four assists (!) to his favorite focal point, Erling Haaland. He scored five goals for Manchester City for the second time, and De Bruyne achieved his record. For the first time, he made four assists in one match against City.
Against a Luton side downstairs, De Bruyne went where he wanted. He went wherever he wanted. To my friend Haaland. Of the 79 goals scored by the Norwegian goal machine against City, 18 were handed on a silver platter by De Bruyne. Royal couple. During his presence, Haaland repeatedly indicated that he missed De Bruyne greatly. They made up for it on a cold Tuesday.
The Red Devils could have easily scored their third goal of the season, but faced Krul. He increased the other counter. De Bruyne has been out of action for four and a half months, but he now has 11 assists in all competitions. In twelve matches for City he was decisive thirteen times. Nice report numbers
While the English media continue to wonder about the possibility of his move to Saudi Arabia next summer, De Bruyne is focusing on the present. “For me, he is one of the best midfielders of all time,” his fellow Devil Amadou Onana (Everton) said admiringly in an interview yesterday. De Bruyne is an assist machine.
Jeremy Doku was on the bench for the third straight game. After a brilliant start at City, he is looking for his best form and decisive behavior – De Bruyne has now surpassed him. Even before half-time, Doku was allowed to relieve the injured Grealish. He had a much harder time getting ahead than his big two.
City led 0-3 against Luton, but found themselves in trouble – before the hour mark they were back at 2-3. Until De Bruyne and Haaland pressed the accelerator again. It was a fantastic goal-fest (2-6), thanks to Luton opening the floodgates in defence.
De Bruyne's troublesome hamstring finally held up. He even completed 90 minutes.
70 million from Saudi clubs for De Bruyne? Guardiola is clear: “I hope he stays here until the end of his career.”
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90'+1'
End of the second half
79'
Dooku is in the lead
Jeremy Doku comes into the game better. He cuts inside in his famous style and then shoots the far corner with his right. the next.
77'
Nathan Akee is replaced by Sergio Gomez
77'
Bernardo Silva is replaced by Rico Luis
77'
John Stones is replaced by Oscar Pope
76'
Erling Haaland is replaced by Julian Alvarez
That's enough for Guardiola. He takes Haaland out wide, good for a five-shot goal. The Norwegian storm has passed. Will we finally get calmer weather over Luton?
72'
2-6 Goal for Mateo Kovacic!
The ball is in the basket again! Now it is actually not Haaland, but Kovacic who scores. The Croatian midfielder sees how his shot deviates slightly from distance, and thus surprises Krul. The first set has been played.
22:29
yesterday
Ortega blocks Barkley's wonderful shot
Although Man City are dangerous in attack, they also make many mistakes in defence. Luton have already scored twice and are now collecting well again. In the end, Barkley is the one who gets his chance. His attempt at the far corner was turned into a corner by Ortega. It's also all hands on deck for City at the corner kick. Ortega is able to save at the last minute. What. a. match.
60'
De Bruyne approaches the goal again
And it continues happily on Kenilworth Road. One opportunity after another. Now again De Bruyne, who sees in the penalty area how unreachable Haaland is and then seizes his chance. Nice try, but this time Kroll wasn't surprised by his short corner. De Bruyne is as close to goal as he was before the break. He already has four assists to his name. Not bad either of course. Moments later, Haaland was unable to pull the trigger after another shooting opportunity. Almost number six for the Norwegian!
62'
Chidozie Ogbeni is replaced by Daiki Hashioka
62'
Jordan Clarke is replaced by Billy Ruddock Mpanzo
58'
2-5 goals for Erling Haaland!
What is happening here?!? Haaland again! His fifth! Before the hour! This time, De Bruyne did not provide the decisive pass. It's in the name of Bernardo Silva. Admittedly, Krul doesn't look good with that goal. He let Haaland's central shot slip through his hands.
56'
Andros Townsend replaces Cowley Woodrow
55'
2-4 goals for Erling Haaland!
Lawton didn't get the call for a long time. Walker reaches De Bruyne with the outside of his foot and again delivers the perfect assist for Haaland who just has to take advantage. It was surprising how De Bruyne, who was somewhat free in the penalty area, had no eye on goal but knew exactly where Haaland was. And then put the ball back on the silver platter. Pure perfection.
52'
2-3 Goal for Jordan Clark!
While Doku isn't scoring well and is having difficulty getting going, Luton suddenly finds contact with just barely through his second shot between the posts. Once again, it was Clarke – who wasn't even a Premier League regular – who, after a poor clearance against City, finished off an equally astounding pass from Ross Barkley, the former Chelsea midfielder.
48'
Nunes loses 1-4
Luton's defense was completely open again with one simple pass through the middle. Stones for Matheus Nunes, but the Portuguese saw his effort slightly blocked so it ended up at Krul.
45'
The second half started
45'+4'
The end of the first half
The Big De Bruyne-Haaland Show at Kenilworth Road. Forty minutes later, De Bruyne had already served the Norwegian forward three times flawlessly. Haaland also finished several times. Then Haaland missed another chance, and De Bruyne was able to score as well.
45'
1-3 Goal for Jordan Clarke!
There is still no answer from Luton before the break. And what kind: From outside the penalty area, Clarke shoots the ball wonderfully. At first, it looks like he lost the ball, but suddenly Clarke kicks hard into the box. For now, the best goal of the evening will go to his name.
40'
0-3 Erling Haaland goal!
Immediately before that, Woodrow showed himself with a beautiful shot that passed just wide of the goal, but a few minutes later De Bruyne sent Haaland into the net again. With the same sequel again: a goal from the Norwegian. Haaland does it now with a tag over Krol. His goalkeeper, Teden Mendy, is seeing stars. Tenth (!) assist for De Bruyne since his return from a hamstring injury. They give Luton too much space in defense and the deadly De Bruyne-Haaland duo are only too happy to take advantage of this.
statistics
Lined up
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