A week after a shambolic capitulation at Santiago Bernabeu, where they had to suffer because of a lack of a pure striker, Manchester City has netted 10 goals in their last two games to take a massive stride towards their fourth Premier League title. On Wednesday night at Molineux, Kevin De Bruyne scored a wrong-footed hat-trick inside 25 minutes. Six minutes before the whistle, Raheem Sterling added a personal stamp to the result by making it 5-0.
24 – Kevin De Bruyne's hat-trick within 24 minutes is the third earliest scored from the start of a match in Premier League history, after Sadio Mane v Aston Villa in May 2015 (16 mins) and Dwight Yorke v Arsenal in February 2001 (22). Incredible. pic.twitter.com/znqAveJjpy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 11, 2022
With Erling Haaland’s arrival confirmed for the next season, it was a telling statement from De Bruyne, who will continue to remain the face of this club. It was also the quickest hat-trick Premier League had seen in the last seven years.
This was the second instance of a Manchester City player scoring four goals in the current season, after Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus did this against Watford a few months ago.
His hat-trick goal was also the best of the night, a thunderous left-footed strike after seeing off a stiff challenge from Ruben Neves and Conor Coady. “It was the purest of the goals,” said the Belgian, who imitated Haaland’s celebration after this goal.
The Story Behind De Bruyne’s Stunning Weak-Foot Ability
De Bruyne is a right-footed player, but his impeccable weak-foot ability makes him the best two-footed player in the world. “My right is stronger, but I’m not afraid to shoot with my left, and it creates a problem for the opposition,” said Bruyne after the game.
Kevin De Bruyne's left foot is one of the very best in the Premier League.
He's right-footed. pic.twitter.com/7FYjnxzVHh
— bet365 (@bet365) December 15, 2019
There’s an interesting story behind De Bruyne’s ambidexterity. While practicing relentlessly in the backyard in his childhood, he would often end up damaging the nearby gardens and flower pots. The frustrated neighbours prohibited him from using his right foot, forcing De Bruyne to play on the other side solely with his left foot. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Man City forward.
Kicks with left & right. When De Bruyne was a kid, his neighbour forbid him to use his right foot because he was destroying grass & flowers. pic.twitter.com/D5e5AA60mS
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) September 30, 2017
Pep Guardiola lauded De Bruyne for his contribution and said, “He has been our key man in this part of the season. He has played the last two or three months, especially in the Premier League, at an outstanding level, and in the Champions League as well,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the win.
“It is not just what he creates and the goals and everything. He helps us a lot. I am happy because Kevin is so generous and always thinking what’s the best for the team but this year is also the most prolific for him,” he added.
