Steve Nicol was full of praise for one Manchester City player after their 4-2 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
City’s win was a crucial one, especially considering that Liverpool dropped two points against Manchester United after their 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s men remain well in contention to win the Premier League title once again, even though Jurgen Klopp’s side and Arsenal are still a point above them in the table.
If there was one takeaway from the Sky Blues’ display against Palace, it was that they can turn it on and play a sensational brand of football if they wish to.
There are still defensive question marks about Manchester City, however, as they conceded two needless goals at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard getting on the score sheet.
However, much like during their 4-1 battering of Aston Villa, City did play champagne football on several instances against the South London side.
Steve Nicol says Manchester City star was “brilliant” against Crystal Palace
Several City players were deserving of praise in the aftermath of their latest win, as Pep Guardiola hailed Rico Lewis as an “exceptional player” after his mature showing against Oliver Glasner’s side.
Nathan Ake also described the youngster as “top” after the game.
Darren Ambrose also claimed that with Jack Grealish’s recent return to the side, an “upturn” in form is expected from Erling Haaland as he believes he looks a lot “happier” playing with the Englishman.
While Pep Guardiola also praised Manuel Akanji, referring to his performance against Palace as “unbelievable” and claiming he is an “incredible player.”
However, Nicol’s focus was not on either Lewis, Grealish or Akanji.
Steve Nicol lauded Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for his heroics against Crystal Palace as he struck a phenomenal brace and registered an assist.
“Brilliant. I mean, seriously, the first goal he scores and it’s huge because you go behind so early, you’re away from home, everyone goes, it’s going to be one of those days and when you have somebody with his sort of talent that it doesn’t take that long and he gets an opportunity, there’s only one thing that’s going to happen.”
“You saw the quality and from there, everyone kicks into gear and it’s normal service resumed”, he said [via ESPN FC].
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also admitted that if not for Kevin De Bruyne, his side would have not beaten Crystal Palace.
De Bruyne showed against Palace that he is far from falling from grace
Considering De Bruyne has not been at his vintage best since returning from injury, perhaps some might have wondered whether his legs were going and his time at the top was coming to an end.
But as Steve Nicol rightly said, Kevin De Bruyne was “brilliant” for Manchester City against Crystal Palace.
City’s number 17 put in a display that had everything one would demand from an attacking midfielder; an assist, goals, game-changing moments, incisive passes and more.
Kevin De Bruyne ran proceedings against Crystal Palace, especially when dropping deep to either play alongside Rodri or picking up the ball from the centre-backs.
As De Bruyne put in a typically all-conquering performance against Palace, he also put any doubts to bed about whether he was declining as he put in a display of such a high standard that not many players have in the Premier League this season, in our view.
Whether it be the midfield maestro or any player of his ilk, writing them off is unwise as the age-old adage rightly goes, “Form is temporary, class is permanent.”