Kevin De Bruyne has broken a Premier League assist record after setting up a goal in Manchester City's 4-1 victory away against Southampton on Saturday.
The 31-year-old entered the contest at St Mary's with 13 Premier League assists to his name this season, at least three more than any other player in the division, and set up his 99th goal in a 4-1 win over Liverpool last weekend.
De Bruyne has now joined the 100 club for assists after curling a perfectly-weighted delivery to goal machine Erling Braut Haaland, who headed home the opening goal on the stroke of half time.
The Belgium international was also involved in two of City's three goals after the break, albeit not getting an assist on these occasions – firstly feeding Jack Grealish who eventually placed a rebound beyond Gavin Bazunu before City's No.17 won a penalty in the final 15 minutes which was calmly converted by substitute Julian Alvarez.
De Bruyne's latest assist has seen him become the quickest player in Premier League history to set up 100 goals in the competition, doing so after 237 appearances.
💯 @premierleague assists for @KevinDeBruyne! 👑 pic.twitter.com/SCrPAgP7ZG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 8, 2023
The playmaker has comfortably surpassed the previous record-holder Cesc Fabregas, who required 56 more matches to reached a century of English top-flight assists for Arsenal.
De Bruyne has also become just the fifth player to register a century of Premier League assists, and has moved to within two of former Chelsea and Man City midfielder Frank Lampard (102) who sits fourth on the all-time assist list.
The Citizens star is also just three behind Wayne Rooney (103) in third, while Ryan Giggs (162) and Fabregas (111) take up the top two positions.
The two-time Premier League Player of the Year is widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers in the modern era and has been a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine over the years, winning four top-flight titles in the last five seasons.
The Belgian and his City teammates are still in the race to retain the Premier League title this term, with their latest victory over Southampton moving them to within five points of leaders Arsenal, who face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) April 8, 2023
Speaking to mancity.com after registering his 100th Premier League assist, De Bruyne said: "Of course I am proud. I saw it before the game. A lot of people were talking about it online.
"It is something you can't really miss. I just tried to create as much as possible. I could have had two or three more. If they score I get the assist.
"I am known for my creativity, there aren't many football players who have been there. Half of the side is mine and half of the side is the other. It is a proud moment but I have to go on."
De Bruyne added: "I don't compare (myself to Fabregas). Cesc is an unbelievable footballer player. I don't compare myself to others. I just try and do the best I can do.
"People will talk about (being) quicker. Everything is different, you play different positions and teams. We score a lot of goals!"
De Bruyne and co will now turn their attention to the Champions League as they prepare for the first leg of their quarter-final against Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Oliver Thomas
