Kevin de Bruyne Assist Against Leicester Puts Thierry Henry’s Long-Standing Assist Record at Risk

It’s hard to believe that the best player in the Premier League doesn’t play for the side which is ten points clear of the chasing pack – with a game in hand. 

But despite sitting in third place, Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne is proving to be a class above his opposition, and he wrote himself into the English football history books with another assist during his side’s 3-1 victory over Leicester City. 

Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne laid the Citizens’ third goal of the night on a plate for Gabriel Jesus and (thanks ​Opta!) became the first player to register double figures for assists before Christmas in a single Premier League campaign since Mesut Özil in 2015/16 (15). 

Özil only managed a further four that entire season, falling one short of tying Thierry Henry’s single-season record of 20, but De Bruyne’s assist against Leicester puts him halfway to the Frenchman’s long-standing record with more than half of the season remaining. 

The ​Man City star put in a masterclass of a midfield performance against the hungry and determined Foxes, but the visitors simply couldn’t live with the endless talent of the Belgian maestro. 

De Bruyne’s assist for Jesus ultimately ended the contest, as he burst into the Leicester penalty area and drove a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, which the Brazilian striker couldn’t miss. 

It wasn’t the only record that De Bruyne broke, either.

Although that stat is possibly less impressive, the Belgium international has also created 69 chances in the Premier League so far this season, at least 17 more than any other player, as tweeted by ​ManCityzens. That’s more like it. 

It wasn’t only ​De Bruyne who was setting the records straight at the Etihad, however. 

​Riyad Mahrez dragged Man City back into the game with a deflected effort from the edge of the box, and the strike was the 500th Premier League goal scored this season. It’s the earliest date the milestone has been reached in a single campaign in the competition since 2009/10 (19th December) – again, thanks Opta. 

The Sky Blues are largely responsible for that incredible scoring record, racking up 50 goals in their opening 18 matches. A special mention should also go to league leaders ​Liverpool and second-placed ​Leicester, who have amassed 42 and 41 respectively. 

With Pep Guardiola’s side re-finding their groove, and the Reds desperate to finally claim the elusive Premier League title, plenty of records could tumble this year. 

Let’