Kevin De Bruyne registered his ninth assist in 16 Premier League matches by smashing a no-look, cross-field volley straight at Raheem Sterling, allowing the Englishman to beat Petr Cech at his near post for Manchester City’s go-ahead goal on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling comes up clutch! #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/JmCcac2X57
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 18, 2016
De Bruyne was on another level, playing a near-perfect match to keep City on the heels of Chelsea at the Premier League summit. Without the suspended Sergio Aguero, City’s attacking trident of De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling seemed destined to weave pointlessly intricate patterns of possession but little else for City, but the incisive play of De Bruyne proved critical. The Citizens smashed Arsenal with a superb second half display.
Kevin De Bruyne’s game by numbers vs. Arsenal:
100% take-ons
10 crosses
6 chances created
3 shots
1 assistBrilliant display. pic.twitter.com/8mjpTBEJdA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 18, 2016
It was De Bruyne’s 38th assist since the start of the 2014-15 season, putting him ahead of the likes of Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi for the most assists in Europe’s top 5 leagues over that period.
Most assists in Europe's top 5 leagues since 2014/15:
Kevin De Bruyne (38)
Lionel Messi (37)
Dimitri Payet (34)Creative forces. pic.twitter.com/pU1MMue7SI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 18, 2016
City return to action on December 26th against Hull City before a massive clash against Liverpool on New Year’s Eve.
