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
Swinton women’s Lionesses rebrand is officially off the ground
Danny Jones
Following an initial announcement late last year, local rugby club Swinton Lions’ women’s team has finally and fully rebranded as Manchester Swinton Lionesses.
The Salford-founded rugby league club, whose men’s team competes in the RFL Championship, has a long and rich competitive history, as well as a fervent male and female following in the area.
As one of the most important and well-established outfits in women’s rugby, Swinton Lions have not only officially relaunched as the Lionesses from 2026 onwards, but are looking to re-establish themselves as their own entity and a competitive powerhouse capable of competing at the top level.
In case you hadn’t heard about the rebrand up until now, you can get a closer look at changes not only to the name but the club crest and more.
As you can see, not only is the shift towards Manchester rather than just strictly Swinton a concerted effort to broaden the supporter base across all 10 boroughs, but there are some key tweaks to the new Lionesses badge.
Changing the design of the lion logo itself – as well as citing 2020 as a key date in this rebirth (i.e. the short-lived push to be renamed the ‘Manchester Lions’), which is more than half a decade in the making – they’re heading into the new year with both a new name and a slightly new look.
Just as reported by the likes of sports journalist Johnny Davidson back in November, however, the title and insignia have been a long time coming.
As per a press release by the club at the time, besides new kits and some key admin, “This evolution is about more than a new name or logo; it’s about creating a platform for women and girls across Greater Manchester to be inspired, to belong, and to believe they can achieve greatness in our sport.”
They insist that the aim is to be a “progressive club that’s proud of its history but unafraid to innovate”, also looking to attract new investors and commercial partners – such as Superfly Sports Flags, which will now appear on the likes of players’ shorts and boot bags, as well as around Heywood Road.
'The Swinton Lionesses today proudly announced the launch of their new identity – the Manchester Swinton Lionesses – marking an exciting new chapter not only for women’s rugby league but for the evolution and ambition of one of the sport’s most historic clubs.
Women’s captain Sammi Simpson went on to state: “We’re so proud of what this team has achieved in such a short time, and this next step feels like a natural evolution.
“Wearing ‘Manchester Swinton Lionesses’ on our shirts will remind us of where we’ve come from — and how far we can go together. We want to inspire the next generation of players, supporters, and families to be part of something special.”
Even Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his excitement, adding: “Manchester is a city built on sport, strength, and community — and the Manchester Swinton Lionesses embody all of that.
“This new identity is a powerful statement about where women’s rugby league is heading and the role Greater Manchester will play in shaping that future.”
As any rugby fan will know, this isn’t the only rebirth of a local sporting institution currently taking place over in Salford.
Manchester City reach ‘agreement in principle’ to sign winger Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Yes, if the latest reports are to be believed, Man City are further bolstering their offensive options with a deal for another wide forward in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo, now virtually done.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, it looks as though City have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
According to sports journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the Blues have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Ghanaian international, meaning it is merely just a case of crossing Ts and dotting Is.
🚨 BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City from Bournemouth is now agreed in principle. Clubs in process of drafting paperwork.
Clarity on Semenyo's move date expected in the next 24 hours.
As per the update on New Year’s Day (and the opening 24 hours of the 2026 January transfer window), the talkSPORT correspondents claim that while final personal terms are still to be fully confirmed, the deal is effectively done.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses are likely to set a club record fee in terms of player sales.
Writing on social media, Crook said: “Semenyo move from #AFCB to #MCFC pretty much done now. Deal agreed in principle, and contracts being drafted by the two clubs.”
Moreover, Semenyo joining City could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…
However, it is also thought that manager Andoni Iraola’s insistence that the draw against Chelsea was “definitely not” his last game suggests that City fans will still have to wait some more before they see him in the sky blue strip.
The Cherries’ boss has been clear that he wants his attacking talisman to feature in their upcoming game against Arsenal this weekend.
As a result, this will most likely see completion of the albeit all but done transfer delayed even further, hence why Pep Guardiola and co. will have to wait to try him in the starting XI.
It’s also worth noting that although the 25-year-old made it clear he doesn’t just want somewhere he can win trophies, but has already named the Etihad Stadium as his desired destination, many have suggested that he could end up losing momentum amid the wealth of attackers being rotated.
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Danny Jones -
12th April 2025 
