How Much Have We Missed Kevin DeBruyne, Bournemouth 0 vs. 4 City

“Very happy with the win, very happy with my performance!”

, Kevin De Bruyne – 02/04/2016.

Goals; Fernando (7'), De Bruyne (12'), Agüero (19'), Kolorov (90'+3)

Line Up (4-2-3-1); Caballero, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Fernandhino, Silva (Nasro 66'), De Bruyne (Kolorov 57'), Aguero (Iheanacho 79')
Stats;Possession, 46%/54%; Shots, 11(2)/15(7); Fouls, 9/8
Referee; Robert Madeley

How much have City missed Kevin DeBruyne!?! The answer it would seem is an awful, awful lot. Not that this was a game built on the Belgian's excellence alone, this was, at last, a Premiership ninety minutes that the whole team could be proud of. From the back we had Willy Caballero, who could have been forgiven for nipping off for a quick pastie in the first twenty minutes so little had he to do, but kept his concentration to pull off a world class save on 30' from Cook's header and Bournemouth's first real effort on goal. Through the defence we had Otamendi snapping into (thankfully) well timed challenges, and Zabaleta at his indomitable best whilst providing space for Navas to burn. In the midfield Fernandinho had one of those games where you wonder if the guy really does have a third lung.  Whilst up front De Bruyne ran the show whilst Aguero used the whole width of the pitch to ensure he ran the Bournemouth defence ragged.

OK, so Bournemouth will not be ripping up the Premiership any time soon, but they had won five of their last six, and this could have been a real banana skin of a game for City. Before the game the vultures were circling, but although its still a long way until City hopefully secure a top four finish, this was an assured performance from start to finish, which showed none of the hesitancy and lack of pace in the attack which has hampered recent performances.

The first half was a joy to watch. Bournemouth have started their last few games by getting out of the starting blocks quickly and putting the opposition on the back foot, but after a tricky first two minutes it was then City's quick, intricate passing which had the Cherrie's at sixes and sevens for pretty much the rest of the game. On 6' a back heeled one-two between Silva and De Bruyne gave City a corner from the right, which Navas took and Fernando steered in his volley like a crack forward. Then on 11' came a beauty from De Bruyne, as Aguero dinked the ball over the defence, and Silva cushioned the ball for the Belgian to volley home. 2-0. On 18' Aguero made it three; De Bruyne (again) passed forward in the box and Navas managed to hook a great cross to the back post for Sergio to head across goal and in. 3-0, and City were flying. City could have made it four or five before half time with Fernandhino hitting the crossbar, and Aguero missing the left post, when he looked more likely to score.

The second half again started well, with a De Bruyne first time effort from an Aguero cross being well saved, and a shot from the edge of the box from Aguero hitting the side netting. From that point on City controlled the possession, without ever needing, or wanting, to get into top gear, with the Champions League clash with Paris St Germain in midweek on the horizon. De Bruyne, Silva, and Aguero all made early exits before a cameo rocket of a goal from Kolorov in extra time sealed the match 4-0.

So hopefully this performance shows a chink of light at the end of the tunnel City have dug for themselves in the last six games. De Bruyne seems immediately back to his best, Nasri managed fifteen minutes after a long layoff, and word from the physio's room is that Delph is not far off, and maybe even Hart will be back for the Chelsea game. That together with dropped points at Upton Park by West Ham meant a very satisfying Saturday. So here's hoping that this is the standard set for the rest of the Season. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me