Manchester City’s record signing Kevin De Bruyne has said he believes his versatility will prove crucial for his team this season and is confident Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham was just a blip.
The surprise defeat for the Premier League leaders ended their 100 per cent record and allowed city rivals Manchester United to cut their advantage to two points.
West Ham became the first team to score a league goal against City this term when Victor Moses struck after six minutes and they doubled their lead through Diafra Sakho before £55 million (Dh313.5m) man De Bruyne pulled a goal back.
The Belgian said he was still finding his feet and that he could only improve as a player surrounded by a stellar cast at City.
“I can only get better if I play with great players. This team has a lot of great players,” De Bruyne said. “I think when I know the team a bit better I will get even more of the ball
“I am adapting well to the team. It is just the beginning so I don’t feel any pressure. I just try to play my game”.
Team of the week: Man United's two-goal striker and a West Ham colossus make the cut
De Bruyne, who was mainly used in the No 10 role for his former club VfL Wolfsburg, said he was confident his ability to play across the forward line would add a different dimension to City’s fearsome attack.
“I can play the three positions. Obviously, even if I am on the No. 10 I change position so much,” he said. “I think you need to do that if you play against teams like West Ham who are defending with nine men.”
The home side laid siege to the West Ham goal for almost the entire second half on Saturday but were unable to break down the visitors’ defence and West Ham survived for their first away win at City since April 2003.
City, who were also beaten 2-1 at home by Juventus in the Champions League last week, face Sunderland in the League Cup on Tuesday before making the trip to North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the league on Saturday.
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Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
