In the 69th minute, when Man City was leading 1-2, De Bruyne was brought on to replace Bernardo Silva.

`I was very disappointed, sad, grumpy with De Bruyne because his first touch of the ball was a free kick and he couldn’t score,` Guardiola joked after the match.

Coach Pep Guardiola gives instructions when sending Kevin de Bruyne onto the field in the Newcastle – Man City match in round 21 of the Premier League at St James’ Park on January 13, 2024.

After a missed free kick, De Bruyne shined to help Man City come back.

In the first minute of extra time, De Bruyne continued to shine with the ball hanging into the penalty area for Oscar Bobb to escape and pass Kieran Trippier, turning the ball from his left foot to his right foot to eliminate goalkeeper Dubravka, before placing the ball into the net.

According to Guardiola, De Bruyne was not ready to play the whole match after five months out due to injury, but he still praised the Belgian player’s influence in the last 30 minutes.

De Bruyne celebrates equalizing 2-2 in the 3-2 win over Newcastle at Saint James Park in round 21 of the Premier League on January 13.

From the moment De Bruyne entered the field, the situation at St James’ Park reversed.

Coach Eddie Howe admitted that De Bruyne was the difference in the match.

Man City has won all six recent matches in all competitions, only two points away from Liverpool’s Premier League top.