De Bruyne scores in fine return to Manchester City duty

Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the pitch after a layoff of over two months with a goal at Bournemouth on Saturday, helping the Citizens claim a comprehensive 4-0 win.

Manchester City's record signing was brought in last summer, and had a blistering start to his career in Lancashire until he fell to injury in a League Cup semi-final win against Everton in January.

His reintroduction to first-team football at Dean Court was seamless, and he added his team's second on 12 minutes following beautiful, one-touch football from Sergio Aguero and David Silva that preceded De Bruyne slotting a finely-struck volley beyond Artur Boruc.

That goal came after a similarly sweet tally from Fernando, and Aguero made in three goals in 19 minutes for visiting City with a header.

Another long-term absentee made his return on the South Coast, with the introduction of Samir Nasri on 66 minutes. The Frenchman was making his first outing since facing the same opposition back in October, and he laid on an assist for Aleksandar Kolarov's ferocious finish in the final stages.

The Bournemouth players, comfortably above the relegation places, looked to be on their summer holidays already, but City's win saw it nick a three-point cushion in fourth place, thanks to West Ham United's 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace.