by There is often a danger of long heralded defenders turning into forwards but Kevin De Bruyne is not the sort of footballer to fall into that particular trap. Not content with scoring a sublime equalizer five minutes after coming off the bench, the Manchester City player succeeded in securing Pep Guardiola’s title by creating a superb stoppage-time winner for fellow substitute Oscar Bobb.
It was De Bruyne’s first Premier League appearance since the opening day of the season. Since then a hamstring has been repaired but, according to this evidence, the Belgian is fully back to former glory.
Indeed, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and the rest can only fear what would happen when City’s main attacker, Erling Haaland, returns from his foot injury next month.
Related: ‘Kevin is a legend’: Guardiola hails De Bruyne’s immediate spark for City’s title tilt
As things stand, Guardiola’s team have moved into second place, just two points behind Liverpool. If no one would bet on another title celebration at the Etihad this spring, Newcastle’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League again are fading.
If only Eddie Howe had found a representative of the quality of De Bruyne and Bobb on a night when his team managed to regain much of their old truth and vitality but still managed to achieve a sixth win in seven league games.
Injuries, exhaustion and the need to comply with financial balance rules have seen Newcastle slip to 10th place but they have, calmly, begun to treat Guardiola’s players as equals.
City had already arrived with their bags packed for a warm weather training break in Abu Dhabi with plenty of downtime. Perhaps, at least mentally, they were already joining the Arabian Sea as they embarked on an obvious kamikaze course.
In the fourth minute, Newcastle striker Sean Longstaff directed a shot into the back of Ederson’s net after meeting Alexander Isak’s cross and although Chris Kavanagh disallowed it offside, the decision was referred to the video assistant referee. . Despite the technology agreeing with the referee it was a firm decision – and a great example of City’s high defensive line creating a high risk.
In a fall prompted by a delayed linesman’s flag, Ederson was accidentally caught on the knee as he collided with Longstaff and Kyle Walker, the latter sliding in as he tried to deny the midfielder. After a long treatment, the City goalkeeper, restless, rose to his feet but almost immediately directed a clearance straight to the hard-pressed Miguel Almirón. The City only managed to avoid conceding because Almirón, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon failed to take advantage.
Stefan Ortega came on and, almost imperceptibly, Guardiola’s players settled into imperial death mode. Phil Foden began asking Howe’s players questions they couldn’t answer, reducing to the point that Jérémy Doku was like a jet cutting through the cloud as he stopped all resistance in midfield to Walker to pick out the right. All that was left for the England defender was to cross for Bernardo Silva to avoid Martin Dubravka courtesy of a very clever right-heel header.
But despite several strong passing spells, City were not completely in control, their defense leaving plenty of space for advancing Howe to run in and keep the game alive.
Related: Newcastle United v Manchester City: Premier League – live
Sure enough, seconds after Dubravka got a hand to Silva’s half-volley on the bar, Fabian Schär won a great challenge which led to Guimarães unleashing a glorious pass towards Isak. The Swedish striker retained admirable composure to turn a well misplaced Walker before sending a shot curling well beyond Ortega’s grasp.
The applause for Isak’s equalizer had barely fallen before more space opened up inviting Walker. This time it was Gordon who was on the other end and, after cutting inside after cutting down the left hand side, the winger drew attention from the four positions begging him to shoot by curling the ball over the visiting keeper.
If Howe could never rest on Foden’s ability to cause serious trouble, the Newcastle manager’s blood pressure must have risen as De Bruyne took off his gloves and tracksuit new.
With the Belgian replacing Silva in the 69th minute, Newcastle looked very nervous at the moment. And with very good reason. Five minutes after coming on, De Bruyne collected Rodri’s pass and, almost uncomplicated, ran a beautifully weighted shot through Schär’s legs and into the bottom corner from the edge of the 18-yard area.
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There was Guardiola – cursing much louder earlier after Julián Álvarez missed a keeper – leaping around his technical area and punching thin air with unflinching abandon.
Howe’s woes ended in a dress rehearsal for the visiting jubilation in stoppage time after De Bruyne’s lofted pass and Bobb’s classy footwork found Dubravka as the 20-year-old Norwegian winger applied the final touch.
