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Guardiola faces nervous wait after De Bruyne suffers scare
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne
suffered an injury scare as League Cup holders Manchester City moved into the
quarter-finals with a 2-0 win against Fulham on Thursday.
There was concern for De Bruyne after the City midfielder limped off with
what appeared to be a knee injury in the closing minutes.
De Bruyne, 27, only recently returned from another knee problem that
forced him to miss two months this season, limiting him to five appearances
to date.
City manager Pep Guardiola will hope his influential Belgian star is able
to make a quick recovery as they head into a busy period featuring crucial
Champions League fixtures and the Manchester derby.
“He’s being checked by the doctor. Right now I don’t know if it’s nothing
or something serious,” Guardiola said.
Until the injury, Guardiola felt it was the most complete performance of
De Bruyne’s comeback, but now he must fret over his fitness again.
“I think today Kevin is back. The Kevin we know,” he said. “Today he was
involved in offence and defence. Hopefully what happened in the last minute
is not serious.”
De Bruyne’s injury overshadowed a memorable evening for youngster Brahim
Diaz.
Diaz was making only his third appearance of the season and the promising
Spanish striker seized his chance with a brace at the Etihad Stadium.
The 19-year-old’s goals ensured City advance to face Leicester or
Southampton in the last eight as they bid to retain the trophy.
Diaz has been linked with a move to Real Madrid among other top European
sides, but Guardiola confirmed City are keen to hold onto their hot prospect.
“He knows the desire we have and what we want for all the young players,”
Guardiola said.
“They know how we want to protect them and to try to help them understand
the way we want to play.
“We want him. In the end it won’t depend on us, it is them. It is the
agent, him, his family, they will decide.”
With the English champions having won at Tottenham in the Premier League
on Monday, Guardiola rested many of his stars among 10 changes.
Diaz was one of those who came in, while De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Gabriel
Jesus also featured against Premier League strugglers Fulham.
Prior to his injury, De Bruyne had been dominant and he quickly tested the
Fulham defence with a run and shot.
Foden brought Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico into action with a powerful
strike.
But it was his fellow teenager Diaz who opened the scoring with his first
City goal in the 19th minute.
A short corner found its way to Vincent Kompany at the far post and Diaz
ran on to his header down to hit a powerful shot which deflected past the
goalkeeper off Aleksander Mitrovic.
Danilo nearly added City’s second when the defender weaved into the
penalty area before unleashing a searing effort which struck the outside of a
post.
As half-time loomed, De Bruyne sent a wicked cross in from the right but
Foden’s header went just the wrong side of the far post.
City were straight back on the front foot to start the second half, with
Jesus heading wide before De Bruyne’s curling shot went just the wrong side
of the post.
They had to wait until the 65th minute for the second goal to come as Diaz
netted again.
Leroy Sane slipped the ball through to Jesus, but when his shot across
goal was touched on to the woodwork by Rico, it fell for Diaz, who took a
touch before lashing home.
Fulham never threatened to stop City keeping a fifth successive clean-
sheet in all competitions.
A comfortable evening for the Premier League leaders finished on a low
note five minutes from full-time when De Bruyne went down in pain after
falling awkwardly in a clash with Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
BSS/AFP/FI/1726 hrs