Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne sent a message to the fans after the reigning Premier League champions beat Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United 4-1 at the Etihad
Kevin de Bruyne has urged Manchester City fans to “support us” after they beat West Ham 4-1 at the Etihad.
An own goal from Vladimir Coufal, an Erling Haaland brace and a goal from Phil Foden earned City their second consecutive victory. They ended a run of just one win in 13 games with a 2-0 victory over Leicester last week and De Bruyne believes the result is a “little step” in the right direction.
However, he did take a dig at some City fans when he was asked about the crowd being nervous after Niclas Fullkrug got a goal back for West Ham. De Bruyne told Sky Sports: “I don’t know why.
“I can understand that we are not up to the level but they should support us because the effort is there and we are still winning 4-1. I don’t understand what is happening. The team gave maximum effort.
“The level has to be higher but we understand that. It is a little step. Moments we played good. I think it was much better against Leicester. We lost some energy but there were some improvements so that is alright.
“We understand a bit more what we have done in the last 10 years and how hard it is. At the moment we are a bit below that. We are working really hard and the team is coming back fitness wise.
“There were moments we played well, other moments less. It’s a bit of an improvement but we understand it still has to be better. You don’t put yourself down too much. We have not been at this level this year. Everybody said, ‘City are winning all the time, it must be easy,’ it is not.”
City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, admitted his were still “not at our best” against the Hammers. “We won a game, still we are not at our best but winning will help us,” he told Sky Sports.
“We had good moments but I’ve been here eight years and we have seen the team playing and it is not at our standards. Still we have to find our tempo and the way we want to play. West Ham played good and had chances.”
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