Kevin De Bruyne has broken a fresh Premier League assist record after setting up both goals in Manchester City's 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Belgian playmaker was sidelined for the first five months of the campaign with a torn hamstring, but he has since made an impressive impact in Pep Guardiola's side since the turn of the year.
After scoring his first-ever Premier League header in City's statement 4-0 win at Brighton last Thursday, De Bruyne assisted both Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland to help the Citizens claim three crucial points against relegation-threatened Forest three days later.
De Bruyne's curled an inviting corner towards the near post for Gvardiol to head home City's opener just after the half-hour mark, before rolling a through-ball into the path of substitute Haaland to slot the visitors' second into the bottom corner midway through the second half.
Victory for Man City keeps them within touching distance of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who sit just one point clear at the summit having played a game more than the reigning champions.
Who else but Erling Haaland? 💥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 28, 2024
He doubles Man City's lead! ✌ pic.twitter.com/iy1ZzLe2pz
Assist king Kevin De Bruyne makes Premier League history
Since returning from his long-term hamstring injury in January, De Bruyne has contributed to 21 goals in just 19 matches across all competitions, scoring six goals and registering 15 assists.
Despite playing in less than half of Manchester City's 54 matches in all tournaments this term, no Premier League player has provided more assists than De Bruyne (15), one ahead of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (14).
De Bruyne's two assists against Forest was the 18th time that the Belgian has registered multiple assists in a Premier League game, the most of any player in the division's history.
The 32-year-old now has eight assists to his name in 14 Premier League appearances this season, only four behind Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (12) at the top of the standings with City still to play four more games.
In total, De Bruyne has provided a staggering 110 Premier League assists and sits just one place behind Cesc Fabregas (111) in second on the all-time list, while ex-Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs (162) is some way ahead at the top of the charts.
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Pep Guardiola reacts to "really hard" Forest victory
Guardiola, who celebrated victory in his 300th game as a Premier League manager on Sunday, was delighted to pick up all three points at the City Ground and believes that his Man City side must win their remaining fixtures if they are to secure a record fourth successive title.
"[It was] really hard," said Guardiola. "Last season we drew and played much better than today.
"Knowing the circumstances that we arrived here, we knew the game that was going to happen. We were so lucky that the pitch was so dry. With the chances they had, with better pitch conditions, they would have scored.
"We were incredibly fortunate for that. We suffered but when [Mateo Kovacic] came on in the second half and Bernardo [Silva] was involved in there, we were much, much better."
"With four games left, it's like climbing a mountain," Guardiola added. "[We have] very tough games. The only thing is still we extend for one more week it's in our hands.
"If we draw a game, we are not going to win the Premier League. It is what it is. We extend this in a difficult game. Now rest a little bit and prepare the next game."
Man City will now turn their attention to next Saturday's home encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers before ending their Premier League campaign with fixtures against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Oliver Thomas
