Kevin De Bruyne has equalled Wayne Rooney's Premier League assist tally after setting up Manchester City's stoppage-time winner in Saturday's 3-2 victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The playmaker was introduced from the substitutes' bench with around 20 minutes of normal time remaining and he made an immediate impact, scoring City's equaliser before registering an assist for match-winner Oscar Bobb.
Man City entered half time 2-1 behind as two goals in two minutes from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon quickly turned the game on its head for the Magpies following an audacious backheel opener from Bernardo Silva just before the half-hour mark.
The champions turned the screw after the break, though, and De Bruyne expertly slotted home a side-footed effort to restore parity on the 74-minute mark, before he produced a defence-splitting pass to set up Bobb, who showed superb footwork and composure to net a dramatic 91st-minute winner.
De Bruyne's assist for Bobb was his 103 in the Premier League, moving him level with former Manchester United striker Rooney in third place on the division's all-time assist list.
Straight back to work for Kevin de Bruyne 🔥
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 13, 2024
He's gone level with Wayne Rooney for Premier League assists – joint-third on the all-time list!#NEWMCI pic.twitter.com/wR9Zro9g4b
The Belgian has moved one ahead of Frank Lampard (102) in fifth place, and he is now eight behind Cesc Fabregas in second with 111 assists, while Ryan Giggs remains way out in front with 162 assists for Man United.
De Bruyne, who has recently recovered from a long-term hamstring injury, expressed his delight after marking his first Premier League appearance for five months with two goal contributions to inspire the Citizens a thrilling victory at St James' Park.
"It was crazy! I missed this, you know," De Bruyne told reporters via mancity.com. "It is what it is. I had a big injury and needed the time. I enjoyed myself and I worked hard.
"To come here to this stadium, this environment, it was more willpower than anything, it was crazy. It's more willpower than sharpness.
"I know I can't do that for 90 minutes for the moment. I can put in a shift for 20-25 minutes at full pace. It can't be any better than this.
"To come here, it's a difficult ground. Everyone was happy for me with everything that has happened. We want to try again to compete for the league. To win here, it's a tough game so it's important."
© Reuters
De Bruyne has praised the movement of Bobb for his goal and has also opened up about how he coped during a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"The way I play, it's assists. Obviously, it's great to score a goal too. The pass is good. The run from Oscar [Bobb] is amazing," De Bruyne added. "The control at that pace and to go round the goalkeeper is top. If he doesn't run I can't pass, he dictates what I can do.
"I don't know what to expect. I never experienced this situation in my 14 years in football, being out. When you play all the time, it's difficult to do different things. I think I've found out a few things and I hope I can maintain that.
"Honestly, it has not been hard [being sidelined]. The beginning is a big blow. But I'm not a person who stands still, and thinks of what could have not happened. I'm happy to be back and to compete.
"I know I need to keep doing what I do and work hard and get sharpness. Hopefully I can get the upwards trajectory."
Victory for Man City has moved them up to second in the Premier League table and to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who travel to Bournemouth a week next Sunday.
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