Kevin De Bruyne was instrumental in Manchester City’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, ending a seven-game losing skid. Before Jeremy Doku completed a much-needed victory for the English champions, the Belgian set up Bernardo Silva for the first goal and then scored the second. Prior to kickoff, City was 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after their dreary run of six losses. But De Bruyne’s first appearance in the starting lineup in almost three months contributed to the Etihad Stadium’s return to regular operations.
City’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle puts them within nine points of Liverpool and back into the top four.
After gradually easing De Bruyne back into action with a string of substitute appearances, Pep Guardiola had to deny rumors of a falling out with him on the day of the match.
The 33-year-old turned back the clock and gave City what they had been lacking, maybe scoring more than one goal.
Guardiola made four changes in response to Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool, adding Josko Gvardiol, Doku, and Jack Grealish to the squad.
City made the breakthrough in just eight minutes.
De Bruyne headed Ilkay Gundogan’s cross back towards goal, and Silva was in the correct spot to knock it in from a few centimeters out.
Ederson was once again benched in favor of Stefan Ortega, despite Guardiola’s pregame declaration that the Brazilian was still his number one goalkeeper.
Forest had a fantastic opportunity to re-enrage the Etihad fans, but the German made a superb stop to deny Morgan Gibbs-White.
De Bruyne’s international teammate Matz Sels denied him a second when he watched a free-kick curl narrowly wide.
When he left fifteen minutes beyond the hour, he received a standing ovation.
Eight days ago, City drew 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League after a dramatic collapse from a 3-0 lead.
But when they dominated the final moments to add a clean sheet to an overall rejuvenating evening for Guardiola’s team, there was never any suggestion of a recurrence.
Forest is still in sixth place after the loss, but they are now four points outside the top four.
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