‘Pep sort of went towards him, but it was very acrimonious’ – De Bruyne’s reaction at end of Man City draw spotted
KEVIN DE BRUYNE has been called out for his reaction after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.
The reigning Premier League champions laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Toffees on Boxing Day.
De Bruyne was brought off the bench late in the second half as Pep Guardiola’s men pushed for a winner.
Erling Haaland had earlier been denied from the spot as the Citizens’ dismal run increased to one win from 13 games.
Following the final whistle, talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham noticed De Bruyne was the first to bail from the field.
Durham said live on air: “What was telling right at the end, Kevin De Bruyne was probably the first down the tunnel.”
Ex-England international Danny Mills replied on commentary: “I noticed that, he just turned and left the field.
“Pep sort of went towards him, but it was very acrimonious wasn’t it? It wasn’t a pat on the back and a handshake.
“I think Kevin De Bruyne did not look happy. Yes, he’ll be disappointed with the result.
“But I think equally he’ll be very very disappointed he only got what, 15 minutes or so?”
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De Bruyne, 33, has struggled for consistent game time this season at the Etihad.
Formerly one of the first names on the teamsheet, the Belgian has been beset by injuries over the past two seasons.
He has featured in just 10 games so far this term, scoring twice and assisting two more goals.
De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract at Eastlands, with some fans seemingly happy to see the back of him after his reaction to Thursday’s draw.
One fan wrote on X: “He can leave now for me.
Another said: “Kevin De Bruyne was one of the first down the #ManCity tunnel at full-time. Yikes.”
While a third added: “Saudi here he comes.”
And a fourth commented: “This was the kind of game KDB should’ve started.”
But a fifth countered: “Can’t blame him, disgrace to keep him on the bench for that long.”
City will look to end their winless run as they travel to face Leicester this weekend.