On his final appearance for Manchester City at the Etihad, Kevin De Bruyne has equalled an all-time Premier League record tonight in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola's side cruised to a comfortable victory, thanks to goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez, putting them on the brink of Champions League qualification.
There was a moment to forget for De Bruyne though, who staggeringly missed from just a few yards out with the goal at his mercy following excellent play from Marmoush, but the skipper inexplicably hit the bar.
It was a fitting finale for the Belgian playmaker though, as an emotional farewell ensued after the full-time whistle, where it was revealed a statue will be built in honour of De Bruyne, in front of 50,000 City fans who stayed behind after the match.
© Imago
De Bruyne equals long-standing Fabregas record
Another accolade was achieved by De Bruyne on his Etihad goodbye too, as he moved level with Cesc Fabregas for the most chances created in the Premier League since records began.
De Bruyne has created a staggering 846 chances in 287 Premier League appearances, managing the same tally as Fabregas in 63 fewer matches.
He also ranks higher than PL legends Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who both spent much longer in the English top flight, while fellow City legend David Silva ranks fifth in the list.
That can be added to the long list of impressive records held by De Bruyne, who also achieved the record for the most assists in a Premier League season - 20 in 2019-20, tied with Thierry Henry from 2002-03.
© Imago
Snapshot of De Bruyne's Man City career
While the individual numbers are breathtaking in isolation, they have played a big role in Man City's unprecedented success over the past decade.
De Bruyne is a six-time Premier League winner, a five-time EFL Cup winner, a two-time FA Cup winner, while he also achieved the holy grail of the Champions League in a sky blue shirt.
The midfielder was also named in both the Premier League Team of the Year and the FIFPRO World XI on five separate occasions, while also winning the Premier League's Player of the Season twice.
De Bruyne is the final player to leave the club that predates the Guardiola era at the Etihad, and the end of that era was marked excellently at the Etihad this evening.
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS' AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers' Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
Andrew Delaney
