MANCHESTER CITY superstar Kevin De Bruyne was sporting a black eye for the Premier League clash with Brighton.
De Bruyne, 31, arrived at the Etihad with the rest of the City team with a mysterious knock that left a heavy bruise on his right eye.
It is not yet known how the attacking midfielder suffered that injury but it didn’t stop Pep Guardiola from choosing him in his starting line-up against the Seagulls.
The Belgium international joined Guardiola’s midfield trio alongside team-mates Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
The 31-year-old is no stranger to eye injuries as he suffered an orbital fracture to his left eye socket during last year’s Champions League Final against Chelsea.
De Bruyne clashed with former Blues star Antonio Rudiger and tearfully hobbled off the pitch.
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The Belgian underwent a successful operation, which allowed him to compete in Euro 2020.
De Bruyne has been immensely influential this season for the Premier League champions.
Summer signing Erling Haaland has been the talk of the town thanks to his whopping 15 goals in 10 Premier League matches.
Haaland leads the goalscoring rankings in the Prem but De Bruyne tops the assists charts.
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The ex-Chelsea star has amassed nine assists in 10 matches so far in the top flight.
The playmaker has also been the main provider behind Haaland’s goals across all competitions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk