Updated6. April 2024, 9:18 p.m.
Football: De Bruyne carries Manchester City, Arsenal puts pressure
The Belgian captain scored twice and provided an assist in the Citizens’ success against Crystal Palace. The Gunners beat Brighton.
Kevin de Bruyne, left, celebrates his second goal here.
IMAGO/Offside Sports Photography
Manchester City escaped from the clutches of Crystal Palace (4-2) despite a bad start on Saturday in London, a victory bearing the mark of captain Kevin De Bruyne three days before the trip to Real Madrid. For their part, Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 and took the lead in the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool’s match on Sunday against Manchester United.
In Manchester, the English and European champions, quickly led by a counter-attack from Jean-Philippe Mateta (3rd), only managed to take the lead in the second half thanks to Rico Lewis (47th, 2- 1) against the fourteenth in the Premier League. They occupy second place with 70 points, one behind Arsenal and tied with the Reds.
At Selhurst Park, Pep Guardiola saved Bernardo Silva (entering added time) and left Phil Foden on the bench in anticipation of the Champions League quarter-leg on Tuesday in Madrid. And he revived Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne after blowing them away on Wednesday against Aston Villa (4-1).
The Belgian captain flew through the match with a double, an assist and remarkable activity throughout.
“KDB” first equalized with a superb curling shot into the opposite corner (13th, 1-1), delivered a decisive pass for Haaland (67th, 3-1), and hit Palace with a perfect recovery from the left (71st, 4-1), his 100th goal in the City jersey.
The size of the score, however, partly masks the difficulties of the Mancunians in south London, particularly defensively. They suffered numerous counter-attacks, were saved by the crossbar on a shot from Jordan Ayew (38th) and gave in to Odsonne Edouard (86th, 4-2).
Crystal Palace continues a fifth match without a victory but has recovered its Franco-English winger Michael Olise, absent due to injury since the beginning of February and entered in the second half.
Arsenal facile
Arsenal outclassed Brighton 3-0. Bukayo Saka (33rd) added to a penalty obtained by Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz (62nd) sprang to cut a back cross from Jorginho and Leandro Trossard (86th) hit the nail on the head in a counter-attack against his former club.
The Londoners generally mastered the debates, and even possession of the ball, yet Brighton’s main asset in general.
Arsenal have strong nerves at the end of the season, where they are chasing a first league title since 2004.
Mikel Arteta’s team extended its unbeaten streak in the Premier League to ten matches (nine wins, one draw against City) in 2024, with the added bonus of a particularly neat goal difference during this period: 38 goals scored, only 4 conceded.
All the lights are therefore green before hosting Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, then Aston Villa in eight days in the Championship.
(AFP)