Sadly for Crystal Palace, he chose them to remind us all what he is capable of.
With City trailing 2-0 and seemingly heading for defeat, De Bruyne led the recovery mission.
The Belgian hit the woodwork before pulling a goal back by deceiving goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a free-kick that went in off a post.
The history books will show Ilkay Gundogan was credited with the assist for Omar Marmoush’s equaliser. But it was De Bruyne’s nod-back Marmoush buried after Gundogan had failed to get proper contact on it.
De Bruyne definitely teed up Mateo Kovacic for City’s crucial third goal at the start of the second half, calmly rolling a pass perfectly into the Croat’s path on the edge of the area when many, less aware, colleagues might have panicked and made the wrong decision.
He should really have had another assist when he set up Marmoush but Henderson repelled the Egyptian’s close-range finish.
“It is the kind of performance Kevin has done in many games, for many years,” said Guardiola.
“Unfortunately, for 18 months he could not do it because of the injuries and surgery, but [today] he played fantastic. The gratitude I have for him is huge.”
Even Palace manager Oliver Glasner appreciated De Bruyne’s talent. He just wishes he had not been on the receiving end.
“Every manager loves to see a player like him with intelligence,” he said. “He moves and always finds the space – it is how he scores and creates chances.”
