Kevin De Bruyne put on a stunning show at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening as Manchester City thumped Arsenal 3-0.
The Belgian scored the opener after just two minutes as he powered home a stunning drive from Gabriel Jesus’s low cross. Raheem Sterling doubled the lead on 15 minutes as he tapped in from a deflected cross from the Belgian.
De Bruyne then had his name up in lights once again just before the break with a fantastic low finish from just outside of the penalty area. City did not add to their lead in the second-half but the three goals was more than enough to see them claim the win and cut the gap to Leicester City in second.
De Bruyne blasts City ahead at the Emirates
Despite the huge gap between the two in the table before the match, Arsenal could have actually enjoyed a lightning start to the match as Gabriel Martinelli forced compatriot Ederson into a smart low save.
That stop actually proved key as City edged ahead only seconds later. Another Brazilian, Jesus, cut the ball back into the penalty area and straight into the path of De Bruyne who with his first touch hammered it into the top corner with Bernd Leno left flat-footed.
Sterling nets a second
Arsenal’s promising start to the match completely evaporated from that moment on and Sterling compounded the hosts’ misery as he doubled the lead. Stealing the ball back on the edge of their own penalty area, a flowing move saw De Bruyne tear down the left flank and play a cross into the area. The ball took a slight nick towards Sterling and he then had the easy task of finishing from only a few yards out.
The match turned into a rout just before the break. More wonderful midfield play from De Bruyne saw him roll Matteo Guendouzi and send a brilliant curling shot into the bottom corner of the Arsenal net. He almost secured a stunning individual hat-trick only minutes later as a wonderful long distance shot was somehow tipped onto the post by Leno.
Arsenal did not improve much after the break and only a couple of great blocks stopped Sterling, De Bruyne and Jesus from adding to the scoreline. Substitute Riyad Mahrez also went close in the final minutes but a good save from Leno kept the scoreline down again as Arsenal fell to another heavy defeat.
Final Thoughts
Three words can sum up this match – Kevin De Bruyne. Whilst there was a vast different between the two sides anyway, the Belgian midfielder really was the driving force behind City’s thumping victory. He was on top form throughout the game, playing vast levels above everyone else on the pitch. In summary, Manchester City punished Arsenal for some dreadful defending and were very much deserving of their victory.
Match Report
Arsenal: Leno (6); Kolasinac (5) (Saka (6), 40′), Sokratis (4), Chambers (5), Maitland-Niles (6); Torreira (6) (Willock (N/A), 81′), Guendouzi (5), Ozil (4) (Smith-Rowe (6), 59′); Pepe (5), Aubameyang (5), Martinelli (6).
Manchester City: Ederson (6); Mendy (6) (Zinchenko (N/A), 85′), Otamendi (7), Fernandinho (7), Walker (6); Gundogan (6) (Mahrez (6), 70′), Rodri (7), De Bruyne (10); Foden (6) (Silva (6), 56′), Sterling (7), Jesus (6).
Goals: De Bruyne (2′), Sterling (15′), De Bruyne (40′)
Referee: Paul Tierney
Yellow Cards: Fernandinho (17′), Rodri (35′), Gundogan (61′), Mendy (62′), Sokratis (73′)
Red Cards: N/A
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