Kevin De Bruyne reaping rewards of selfish streak, says Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said Kevin De Bruyne is reaping the rewards of adding a selfish streak to his game after his four-goal haul propelled Manchester City to within touching distance of a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

Guardiola’s side destroyed Wolves 5-1 to restore their three-point advantage over Liverpool with two games to play and the City manager admitted that the marquee signing of Erling Haaland will only help them to increase their goals tally. Raheem Sterling registered City’s fifth six minutes from time and De Bruyne hit the post with a minute to spare.

Related: De Bruyne hits four as Manchester City thrash Wolves to keep cushion at top

“I’m so disappointed with him because he missed a fifth goal, with [hitting] the post,” Guardiola said, smiling. “I know he is always a guy who is so generous and always has the sense to make an assist but this season I think he has the sense to be prolific and score goals.

“He won the game against Chelsea [in January], he scored against [Real] Madrid and he has been decisive scoring goals and at the end this makes the greatest [players]. I’m very pleased for him because of course scoring four goals in the decisive part of the league is so important.

“We’ve spoken during the years – ‘You have to arrive to the box, you have to be close to the box and you have to score.’ This season I think was the year that he has done better and better. Hopefully he can continue not just this year but for the rest of his career.

“I have the feeling that now he is starting to enjoy goals. Before it was just assists and now I have the feeling it is: ‘I like it when my teammates come to hug me because I scored a goal.’ I think it is good.”

De Bruyne scored a 17-minute first‑half hat-trick