Ke be in De Bruyne makes an eye-catching comeback

Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield: De Bruyne makes eye-catching return LiveScore logo Andy Hampson Press Association 07/01/2024 16:12 Kevin De Bruyne was back in action (Martin Rickett/PA) Kevin De Bruyne was back in action (Martin Rickett/PA) Kevin De Bruyne made an eye-catching return and Phil Foden struck twice as holders Manchester City thrashed Huddersfield 5-0 in the FA Cup third round. Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku were also on target as City – further aided by an own goal – swept aside their Championship opponents in a one-sided third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The impact of the in-form Foden was again impressive but De Bruyne’s comeback, after five months out, was arguably of greater significance. The Belgian was given just over half an hour at the end of the game and he marked the occasion by teeing up a goal for fellow returnee Doku. His presence brought some of the biggest cheers of the afternoon from the home fans, whose noise was drowned out by that of the 6,000-strong visiting support early on. Yet Huddersfield, not surprisingly given their struggles in the second tier this season, could not match the intensity of their fans as City, without hitting top gear, comfortably outplayed them. The visitors resisted well for the opening half an hour, limiting Alvarez to a long-range shot which was comfortably saved by Lee Nicholls while Oscar Bobb had an effort unwittingly blocked by team-mate Rico Lewis. The visitors showed some spirit by launching a handful of counter-attacks but the final ball was generally lacking. Sorba Thomas did get through on goal on one occasion but he failed to beat Stefan Ortega and the offside flag indicated it would not have counted anyway. City suffered a blow when Manuel Akanji limped off after a heavy challenge from Alex Matos, who was booked, but they soon began to step up the pressure. Huddersfield were pegged back as Sergio Gomez had a low ball turned behind and a Foden shot was deflected to safety. The opener came on 33 minutes as Mateo Kovacic slipped in Alvarez and his firm pass was well taken and rifled in by Foden at close range. The second followed just four minutes later as Matheus Nunes linked with Foden and then found Lewis, who squared for Alvarez to stretch and poke home.