Manchester City vs. Norwich City: Kevin de Bruyne Gives Sky Blues Title Edge
When Manchester City have missed Sergio Aguero through injury in the past, it has always brought a veil of doom across the Etihad as the team fights for silverware. However, the acquisition of Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg has given the Sky Blues the ammunition needed to see through the periods when their Argentina striker is out of the starting XI.
The Belgium international was once again in fine fettle on Saturday afternoon, as City edged past Norwich City 2-1, when the Canaries almost stole a result.
The Premier League leaders took the lead midway through the second half, as another new signing made his name in front of the Eastlands crowd.
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Nicolas Otamendi, who was one of La Liga's top-scoring defenders with six strikes last term—according to WhoScored.com—gave City their first goal of the game.
However, it seemed the match was heading for a draw after a howler from Joe Hart allowed Cameron Jerome to equalise deep into the second half.
It was left to Yaya Toure to save the day, as he has many times in the past, converting a last-minute penalty to guarantee the points and consolidate City's place at the top.
It was De Bruyne's performance that had tongues wagging in Manchester once more, controlling the left side of the attack with poise, verve and creativity.
The Belgian once again racked up another assist, as his corner kick met Otamendi's head.
Squawka.com highlighted the impact the player has had on City since his second coming to English football:
The player's failed stint at Chelsea might go down as one of Jose Mourinho's biggest mistakes, as the attacker thrived at Wolfburg and earned himself a passport back to the Premier League in an astonishing deal.
The £55 million transfer fee to purchase the midfielder appeared to be a ridiculous sum at first glance, per BBC Sport, but City manager Manuel Pellegrini was convinced he had chosen the right player to enhance his team: "We like to play attacking, attractive football. Bringing in a player like this will only aid us. He has all of the mental, physical, tactical and technical attributes required to fit straight in."
And the coach has been correct in his assessment and ambition, as De Bruyne has proved in every match he is a cut above the vast majority of Premier League defences.
De Bruyne has given City an added self belief—not only in Aguero's absence—but also with David Silva sidelined and recovering from injury.
Last year, City would have dropped points in a similar scenario against Norwich, but De Bruyne, including the Raheem Sterling trickery, has breathed new life into Pellegrini's options.
Darren Lewis of the Mirror highlighted the 24-year-old's self-confidence—a player who walked away from Chelsea in order to build himself into the world-class bracket, rather than rot on the Stamford Bridge bench:
De Bruyne has given his new club the edge in the title race, bringing an intimidatory flavour to City's attack, allowing the likes of Wilfried Bony and Sterling to thrive because of his threat.
The Sky Blues have only hit second gear in their pursuit of Premier League glory, and with Arsenal keeping the chase interesting, the north Londoners are having to perform to a high standard just to keep up with City.
When Aguero and Silva return, the league title will only be heading in one direction, if Pellegrini can keep his biggest talents fit.
The two players offer the perfect complement to De Bruyne and Sterling in the wider positions, and they could aggressively motor forward in the second half of the race.
De Bruyne and Sterling's fees seemed laughable in the summer, but it appears it is Pellegrini who will have the biggest smile on his face at the end of the campaign, correctly utilising City's extreme wealth to buy the absolutely essential talents he needs to take the championship back to the Etihad.
