EPL: De Bruyne emulates Fabregas after latest assist for Haaland against Tottenham

Kevin De Bruyne set up the first of Erling Haaland’s two goals in Manchester City’s hugely significant 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. 

The Belgian playmaker played in the Norwegian for a 51st-minute tap-in as Man City scored a Premier League away goal at Spurs since Riyad Mahrez netted at Wembley in October 2018. 

Haaland and Stefan Ortega were the heroes on the night, with the striker netting a brace and Ortega denying Heung-min Son an equaliser in the game’s closing minutes. 

However, it was not lost on anyone that De Bruyne created another goal for a teammate in the competition, taking him to 10 in the league despite missing several months this term. 

A hamstring injury kept De Bruyne out for four months before his December return, even if the 32-year-old did not play in the top-flight until January's comeback win at Newcastle United, impacting proceedings at St James' Park with a brilliant goal and outstanding assist for Oscar Bobb. 

Nine more have followed in 2024, taking De Bruyne to 10 for the season, with only Ollie Watkins (13) ahead of the Belgian, and the 32-year-old also matched a Cesc Fabregas Premier League feat on Tuesday. 

Fabregas had a hand in setting up 10 goals or more for six campaigns in the competition, a record De Bruyne matched after assisting Haaland in only his 17th appearance in 23-24. 

The Belgian set up 18 in 2016-17, 16 the following season, 20 in 2019-20, 12 in 2020-21, 16 last season and 10 in the ongoing campaign with one game remaining. 

Tuesday also took De Bruyne one clear of Fabregas in the Premier League all-time assists log, although his 112 trails Ryan Giggs' 162. 

Man City seek a fourth consecutive Premier League crown on Sunday, with West Ham United visiting the Etihad Stadium in gameweek 38. 

De Bruyne could add to his 112 assists against the Hammers, keen to edge closer to Giggs’ seemingly unassailable total.