If there was ever any doubt that Kevin De Bruyne isn’t just Manchester City’s best player but arguably the best in the Premier League full stop, then his inspiring display at the Etihad Stadium in their emphatic 5-2 comeback against Crystal Palace should have well and truly quashed those.
Man City received a rather large early shock after finding themselves two goals down after just 21 minutes on Saturday, and it looked to be a topsy-turvy day that would once again confirm they are human in what has been their least dominant season for some time.
However, the reminder that we ultimately got is that is aging, injury problems and legs not moving quite as quickly as they used to may get the better of some, but class is permanent and if Blues could pick any player slightly past his prime to get them out of a tight spot, it will be Kevin De Bruyne 11 times out 10.
The Belgian midfielder not only got he team and the crowd back in the fight with a wonderful free-kick to make it 2-1, but he also managed to grab an assist for the third goal by Mateo Kovačić, having well and truly gotten their creative juices flowing. Speaking after the game, he made the objectives clear:
A leader, armband or not. Here’s what he has to say after the game.
Leading by example and then some.
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In truth, he could have had at least one more goal were it not for a strike rattling the post, as well as essentially helped carve out the equaliser from Omar Marmoush – now on six league goals for the season – and regardless of his recent fitness issues, his quality shone through as always.
The 33-year-old described himself as being relatively “pain-free” for the last year, and putting smaller issues with hamstrings and a hernia aside, he is already starting to reflect on what has been a remarkable 10 years both for the club and him personally here in Manchester.
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He went on to add that winning the FA Cup would be the “perfect ending” to his time in Manchester, but who knows? Maybe they could always tie on a second FIFA Club World Cup if he’s still around by then.
As for Pep Guardiola, you only need to see the way he looked at his number 17 when he walked off the pitch to see how much he means to the side and the fans, going on to add in the post-match that not only did he obviously “change the momentum” and the game but he knows he can always “rely on him.”
In fact, Pep summed up the legacy he’s going to leave behind in just one word…
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“His legacy will be eternal.” 💙
Pep Guardiola on the race for Champions League football and Kevin de Bruyne's announcement 🤝
De Bruyne confirmed he will be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season after a decade that has established him as one of the very best players in the world, and it’s more than fair to say that City won’t be the same without him – we’re pretty sure neither will the league.
It doesn’t matter who you support, he won’t be playing forever, so enjoy watching it while it lasts.
You can watch the highlights from Man City’s magnificent Premier League comeback against Crystal Palace, led by the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne, in full down below:
Featured Images — TNT Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
12th April 2025 
