Kevin De Bruyne Scores Absolutely Wordie In Manchester City Vs Chelsea
Kevin de Bruyne came up with a moment of pure magic to open the scoring in the top of the table clash between Manchester City and Chelsea.
City went into the game leading their rivals by 10 points, and knowing a win at the Etihad would cement their place as clear favourites to defend the title.
Pep Guardiola's team dominated much of the first half but couldn't break the deadlock, with their best chance of the opening 45 minutes being saved by Kepa from Jack Grealish's one-on-one opportunity.
Chelsea did start the second half in better fashion but City always looked the more likely to open the scoring, and might have had a penalty if not for an offside in the build up.
With 20 minutes remaining, and perhaps some doubt creeping into City minds over the ability to break down Chelsea's resolute defence, De Bruyne produced some real genius to open the scoring.
The Belgian midfielder collected the ball from a Joao Cancelo pass, drove forward and, just as it looked like he would try to find a pass, brilliantly curled the ball beyond Kepa's grasp and into the corner of the goal.
#MCICHE
β Fast Goals (@IFAST29) January 15, 2022
Man City 1-0 Chelsea | GOAL! De Bruyne. pic.twitter.com/UYbRtSwwn3
A work of art π¨π pic.twitter.com/5II7uoM3x8
β Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 15, 2022
OH KDB! π pic.twitter.com/WVtYYffFE6
β Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 15, 2022
π£οΈ "Oh my goodness me! You give Kevin De Bruyne an inch and he takes a bloomin' mile"
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 15, 2022
It's safe to say Jeff Stelling rated that goal π pic.twitter.com/CjicxIpU0J
KDB, that is unbelievable. Canβt say they donβt deserve it. #CFC
β Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) January 15, 2022
Pretty much perfection from De Bruyne. World class.
β Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 15, 2022
As with much of the rest of the game, Chelsea were unable to find a way through City in the remaining 20 minutes of the game, despite the introductions of Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-odoi and Timo Werner.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea or Liverpool are now anywhere near capable of tracking down the league leaders but already it's looking highly unlikely.
If De Bruyne's goal has all but wrapped up the title already in January, then it's as deserving as any goal is likely to be.
Topics:Β Premier League, Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne
Ryan Sidle