De Bruyne is almost unstoppable – and Man City might be too

The Belgium playmaker provided a moment of magic to break the deadlock against Crystal Palace and take his assist tally for the club to 100

For the opening 25 minutes of Manchester City‘s clash with Crystal Palace, the Eagles’ assistant manager Ray Lewington’s booming instructions could be heard around the Etihad Stadium.

Roy Hodgson – the only visiting manager to avoid defeat against City in each of the last two seasons – clearly had a plan to stop the home side’s widemen from getting to the by-line.

Lewington, wearing shorts in freezing Manchester conditions, was constantly reminding Palace’s players of said plan, calling particularly on inexperienced left-back Tyrick Mitchell to show his opponent onto their weaker foot. Read More