'Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best players in the world': Gabriel Jesus raves about Manchester City talisman's hand in Stoke thrashing

• e-mail

Gabriel Jesus joined the plaudits for Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City swept Stoke aside with ease on Saturday.

The in-form De Bruyne was once again at his scintillating best as City moved clear of rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with a 7-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium. 

The Belgian did not get on the scoresheet himself but he marked his 100th appearance for the club with a dynamic display that saw him set up four goals.

Kevin De Bruyne continued to lead Pep Guardiola's charge to Premier League glory

His vision opened Stoke the defence for early strikes from Jesus and Raheem Sterling before perfectly-weighted passes played in Jesus for a second and Leroy Sane later in the game.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said De Bruyne was 'head and shoulders above anybody else in the Premier League' and Jesus concurred.

The Belgian midfielder contributed to four of Manchester City's seven goals against Stoke

DE BRUYNE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR PEP

Kevin De Bruyne dominated the midfield as inspired Manchester City to resounding win over Stoke. Find out more information and match facts by visiting Match Zone, here

Advertisement

'He is one of the best players in the world,' said the Brazil striker. 'His quality is outstanding as an individual out on the pitch, but it's the way that he makes that work for the whole team, and connects with the other players, that makes him special.'

His brilliance had fans chanting his name as the goals poured in during the second half, rather than the scorers themselves.

'Kevin deserves the love from the fans,' added Jesus. 'We can't decide who they show their affection to but the important thing is that every player gives their all out on the pitch. We are scoring goals, making assists and winning games and that is the main thing.'

De Bruyne assisted Gabriel Jesus for City's fourth and the Brazilian's second at the Etihad

And Jesus has described De Bruyne as a special talent and one of the best in the world 

Guardiola felt vindicated for sticking to his tactics that saw City struggle last season

City were 3-0 up inside 27 minutes with David Silva also on the scoresheet. Stoke remarkably pulled that back to 3-2 despite being starved of possession as Mame Biram Diouf struck and Kyle Walker diverted into his own net but City - and De Bruyne - upped a gear.

Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva were also on target in a one-sided second period.

City have scored 37 goals in their 11 games in all competitions and look formidable but manager Pep Guardiola feels he is now being vindicated for sticking to his principles when, at times last season, defensive work was criticised.

But insisted he 'is not here for entertainment' and being successful is his only goal

He said: 'I am not here for entertainment, I am here to win. But last season when people said you have to change the way you play - they said it many times, like when we were not able to win our games at home or lost at Leicester 4-2 - I said, 'No, that is not going to happen'.

'It is about winning but the way I want to play is like this.'

Hughes had no complaints about his side's hammering.

The former City boss said: 'At 3-2 we were certainly back in the game but players like De Bruyne see those situations and then they just grab the initiative, say this is unacceptable and take the game away from you by the quality of their play. We are not the first to come here and get turned over.'