Pep Guardiola’s side are embroiled in a tense battle for a top-five finish in the Premier League, and De Bruyne lifted them to third place with his first-half strike at the Etihad Stadium.
For just the second time in a turbulent campaign, City have reeled off five successive wins in all competitions.
It was a major boost to City’s hopes of securing a place in Europe’s elite club competition.
Sixth-placed Nottingham Forest’s loss against Brentford on Thursday had provided further impetus to City’s top-five chase, and they took full advantage thanks to De Bruyne’s farewell tour.
After 10 years at the club, it was De Bruyne’s penultimate appearance at the Etihad after the midfielder was told he will not get a new contract when his present deal expires at the end of the season.
It was only the sixth goal this season for the 33-year-old Belgian, underlining why Guardiola has decided to release him after an injury-plagued decline over the last two years.
But De Bruyne’s contribution could be crucial for City, who have three matches left and hold a four-point advantage over Forest, who play their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Fourth-placed Newcastle and fifth-placed Chelsea also have a game in hand over City heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
Even qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace will not salvage the season in Guardiola’s eyes after their four-year reign as English champions came to a limp end.
Surrendering the title to Liverpool was bad enough, but missing out on a place in the Champions League for the first time since 2010-11 would be a complete catastrophe, and this result kept them on course to avoid that fate.
Guardiola sprang a surprise by naming Erling Haaland among his substitutes as the Norway striker returned ahead of schedule from the ankle injury he suffered at Bournemouth in March. (AFP)
