Man City news: Kevin de Bruyne opens up on David Silva row during Napoli clash

The Manchester City midfielder was seen arguing with skipper Silva as they left the pitch at the break of the Champions League clash with Napoli, despite Pep Guardiola’s side leading 2-0 after another sparkling performance in the first 45 minutes.

But a frustrated De Bruyne, who had had just been booked for dissent, was unhappy at some of the decisions given by Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz and his assistants and wanted to confront the fourth official as he walked off.

He said: “We just had a little discussion. A minute later, that’s forgotten. I have those sort of arguments sometimes with my wife too. You too, I suppose!

“Sometimes it’s needed. Not everything is always positive. But this was something small. I wanted to ask the fourth official something but I wasn’t allowed to.

“But as I said. It’s nothing to make a big deal out of it. It happens sometimes. Some people often say or see that I’m frustrated, but that wasn’t the case. I was just a bit annoyed. And for a minute I lost myself. One minute and it’s done. You have a collision of words.

“I don’t mind. At the highest level a discussion can be good sometimes. To get everyone at their toes again.”

De Bruyne was delighted that City stretched their run to 10 wins in all competitions but admitted Napoli - who fought back strongly in the second half afetr City's first half basrrage - had provided a reminder that they will not have it easy in every game.

“It wasn’t an easy game," he added. "This is the Champions League, they are the leaders in the Serie A. I’d seen some games of them, because my friend Dries Mertens plays for them. So I knew it wouldn’t be easy. 

“It was totally different than against Stoke on Saturday. They play a different kind of football. I’m happy with the way we played as a team. Our first half was excellent, the second a little bit less. They play a bit in the same way as us, so it’s sometimes difficult.”

De Bruyne continued his own great form by claiming another “assist” after setting up Gabriel Jesus for City’s second goal with another slide rule pass.

But he praised goalkeeper Ederson Moraes as City’s hero for saving Mertens’ first half penalty.

He added: “Ederson was terrific. We kept in control because he stopped that penalty. It’s easier for me if the team plays like that. Everyone is playing at a high level.”

De Bruyne confirmed that his agent has opened talks with City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain over a new contract but is not “stressing” about the outcome.

"My agent went already one time to Txiki. Talks are coming. I’m patient anyway, I don’t stress it. I have time," he said.