Kevin de Bruyne rises to the occasion again for superb Manchester City

LONDON – Like a dad who had been letting his child win a few games in the garden, Kevin de Bruyne decided it was time to get serious and put the youngster in his place on Wednesday, as he led Manchester City’s schooling of Arsenal with a sumptuous performance.

The midfielder scored twice and set up another as City’s 4-1 English Premier League win showed the pretenders to their throne just how far they still have to go – even if the Gunners still sit top of the standings by two points, having played two more games.

Arsenal came into the match stuttering from three draws, while City were girding their loins for the last big push when the trophies are decided.

And it was de Bruyne who set the tone. His first goal after seven minutes was full of intent as he collected a neat ball from Erling Haaland and drove through a retreating Arsenal defence before curling a low shot just inside the post.

He then delivered a pinpoint free kick for John Stones to head the second, while his second goal was one of his trademark “how did he do that?” specials, having initially won the ball back in the centre circle.

Looking as if he was taking a touch of control, with virtually no backlift, he poked the ball between Rob Holding’s legs to catch goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale cold after Haaland again turned provider in a combination that Arsenal had no answer to.

Holding pulled one back for the visitors before Haaland then ensured City finished on a high.

Asked about de Bruyne’s performance, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Always I push him, I have the feeling that he can do better but, in this shape, when he can move behind, he has that little bit more freedom.

“When we stay close to him and with long balls, second balls and with Erling up front, he’s so dangerous... he’s a master. Erling’s connection with Kevin is extraordinary and we tried today to use it as much as possible.”

De Bruyne revelled in that freedom and City looked much more of a goal threat than so often when they patiently probe up and down the flanks trying to manoeuvre themselves into dangerous positions.

On his deadly double act with Haaland, he said: “We set up a bit differently. Instead of two No. 8s, I had the freedom to go left or right depending on where the space was. We could have scored more, but they’re a class team and hard to play against. We had to be at our best today, and we were.”

With the victory, City are now huge favourites in the title race. If they win six of their last seven games, they are guaranteed to clinch the Premier League for a fifth time in six seasons.

But Guardiola is not getting carried away just yet, as he urged his players to focus on their next three league games.

City travel to Fulham on Sunday, then host West Ham United and Leeds United.

They are also due to play Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals after that, before an FA Cup final date against Manchester United in June as they chase a remarkable treble.

“I know the next three games are really important, they will dictate if we can do what we want to do,” Guardiola said.

“The most important thing is our destiny is in our hands, but the reality is today we are (still) two points behind Arsenal, they are in front of us.”

After leading the table for much of the season, Arsenal’s bid to win a first league title in 19 years is in danger of fizzling out.

Manager Mikel Arteta conceded his team deserved nothing from a game in which they were completely outclassed.

“I don’t know what is going to be required,” he said when asked what needs to be done.

“For sure, we have to lift the players up first because they suffered tonight. We need to do everything that we’ve done so far so well and start winning.

“The first 30 minutes, all the basic things you have to do against a top team we didn’t do it and we got punished. We played against an exceptional team.

“We’re an exceptional team as well – but today we weren’t at the races.” AFP, REUTERS