Manchester City have shown they can win games without Erling Haaland in their 1-0 win over Leicester City, according to Kevin de Bruyne.
The defending Premier League champions had left Haaland out of the squad to face Leicester City after the striker suffered a knock during their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund earlier this week.
Man City recorded a victory in their match against Leicester City, with a spectacular free kick goal from De Bruyne giving Pep Guardiola’s men all three points.
After a goalless first half, De Bruyne put Man City ahead in the 48th minute of the match. He scored from a free kick, awarded after Leicester City conceded a foul on Jack Grealish in a dangerous position. The Belgian’s shot from the free kick went to the post in what would be the winning goal.
Man City showed they can without Erling Haaland, says Kevin de Bruyne
Speaking after the match, De Bruyne said they have shown they can win in Haaland’s absence.
“We always have to be better. I’ve done quite well, but some games are better than others… We’ve created enough. It’s difficult against a team that plays 11 behind the ball. We have shown that we can win without and without Erling Haaland,” De Bruyne told BT Sport.
Haaland, who joined Man City in the summer transfer window, has been sensational for the Premier League champions since arriving at the club.
The 22-year-old hit the ground running at his new club and has already racked up 22 goals in all competitions.
Haaland has scored 17 Premier League goals in just 11 appearances. That includes three hat-tricks scored against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
The Norway international has also scored five goals in four Champions League appearances for Manchester City.
Meanwhile, victory over Leicester City lifts Man City to the top of the Premier League points table, at least temporarily. The Manchester outfit have 29 points from 12 Premier League games so far this season.
They are one point ahead of Arsenal, who sit second on 28 points. But the Gunners have a game in hand, having played just 11 league games so far this season. Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in their next game in the Premier League and will return to the top of the Premier League if they win on Sunday.
