Erling Haaland put Pep Guardiola‘s side in control with two goals before the interval, but the visitors came roaring back in the second period, reducing the deficit through Leandro Trossard.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, skipper De Bruyne curled a splendid strike into the top corner beyond the sprawling Robert Sanchez to secure the three points.
The Belgian, who scored our 601st top-flight goal under Guardiola, was delighted with the strike.
“I got the ball from Bernardo [Silva], looked through the options, I was in space there, shot and it went in perfectly,” he reflected.
“The first half we had fully under control, we didn’t let them play. We should’ve scored to make it 3-0 and they scored for 2-1.
“It was a bit tight in the game but obviously scoring the third finished the game.”
Haaland opened the scoring after latching onto Ederson‘s long pass, getting round Sanchez, holding off Adam Webster, then rolling into the empty net.
Shortly before the break, he doubled the lead from the penalty spot and De Bruyne was full of praise for the forward, who took his league tally to 17 goals.
“He is there to score the goals and he is having a really good season. He has helped us win games,” said De Bruyne.
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“It’s just the start, he is doing what he needs to do.
“The team is playing well for the moment so that’s all we can do.”
