De Bruyne Revels On Match-Winning Premier League Return

Sidelined since the opening game of the season against Burnley, De Bruyne only returned to action in the FA Cup win over Huddersfield last weekend.

The 32-year-old was summoned from the bench with 20 minutes to play at Saint James' Park with the champions 2-1 down and he levelled matters five minutes later with a cool finish before setting up Oscar Bobb's stoppage time winner.

"I enjoyed myself. It was crazy," De Bruyne told TNT Sports.

"I missed this. I had a big injury and I needed the time."

Of his performance, he added: "I think it was more willpower than anything else.

"I know I'm not able to do that for 90 minutes at the moment. I can put in a shift for 30 minutes. I feel it in my lungs, especially with the cold."

"I've never experienced this," said De Bruyne. "I worked really hard and had to change a couple of things. When you play all of the time, it's very hard to change things.

"The beginning [when you get injured] is a big blow but I'm not someone who stands still. I enjoyed myself being able to do things I could never do. I worked hard to come back.

"I know I need to keep working hard and get sharpness."

Man City have now climbed to second position on the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.