Kevin de Bruyne’s four-goal performance helped Manchester City beat Wolves and reclaim a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League as the Pep Guardiola’s team now only needs four points from their final two games to finish ahead of Liverpool and win their fourth title in five seasons.
De Bruyne was instrumental in all of City’s previous victories, but this was an individual performance that must rank among his best in Man City history. The Belgian started and finished the move that led to his team’s first goal, latching on to Bernardo Silva’s pass to slot home.
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Wolves responded quickly, with a quick counter-attack culminating in Pedro Neto finding Leander Dendoncker in space on the edge of the box to fire past Ederson.
However, this was De Bruyne’s stage, and he quickly put his side back in front. He also contributed to the build-up, and he was in the right place to smash in the rebound after Jose Sa beat Raheem Sterling to his pass.
His third goal, which he scored with his so-called weaker left foot, was the best of the bunch, as he drove to the edge of the area and curled into the bottom corner. De Bruyne’s hat-trick was his first for Man City and came in the third-quickest time in Premier League history at 24 minutes.
He celebrated in style by imitating his soon-to-be teammate Erling Haaland’s meditation celebration, with whom Man City reached an agreement this week, but he wasn’t done yet. Man City came out for the second half looking to add to their goal difference, which was already three higher than Liverpool’s before kickoff.
Raheem Sterling thought he had extended their lead when he ran clear and beat Sa, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. De Bruyne made it 4-1 when a Phil Foden cross was deflected into his path, finding the bottom corner with his first right-footed effort of the night.
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More chances followed, with Foden hitting the post and Sterling missing an easy chance, but Sterling eventually got in on the act, tapping into an empty net after Sa denied Joao Cancelo.
However, this was still the De Bruyne show. City aren’t done yet, and their next test is an awkward trip to West Ham on Sunday, but on this evidence, they’ll be hard to stop.
