Ashley Cole slated over Kevin De Bruyne claim following Man City’s win vs Crystal Palace

Ashley Cole has this evening been taken apart online, following a questionable claim on the part of the former Chelsea defender regarding Kevin De Bruyne.

City push past Palace

Manchester City travelled to Selhurst Park earlier today, for a Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.

The Citizens headed into proceedings hoping for an immediate bounce-back performance, having fallen to their first defeat since January last time out, versus Tottenham in the Champions League.

And, when all was said and done in London, bounce back was precisely what Pep Guardiola's men managed, courtesy of a deserved 3-1 win.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a superb finish with 15 minutes gone, latching on to Kevin De Bruyne's perfectly-weighted through ball to find the roof of Vicente Guaita's net.

And, when Sterling went on to add his 2nd of the afternoon just past the hour-mark, City looked to have made sure of all 3 points.

Crystal Palace, though, set up a nervy final 10 minutes when Luka Milivojević picked out the corner of Ederson's goal with a pinpoint free-kick from the edge of the box.

But the visitors kept their cool, with Gabriel Jesus' 90th-minute near-post finish having ensured that the champions left London having (temporarily) reclaimed top-spot in the Premier League table.

De Bruyne's influence

While it was Raheem Sterling who understandably grabbed the majority of the headlines following City's latest win, perhaps the most impressive all-round performance for Pep Guardiola's men at Selhurst Park came from Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian midfielder controlled the tempo throughout proceedings, pulling the strings from his midfield berth, and even bagging a pair of assists.

As such, speaking on Sky Sports in the aftermath of the clash, Ashley Cole was quick to single De Bruyne out for special praise.

However, one claim on the part of the English international with regards to the City star's impact this season has since seen Cole heavily criticized.

Somewhat bafflingly, the Derby County stopper revealed his opinion that De Bruyne, alongside Raheem Sterling, has been his side's most-influential player to this point in the campaign.

This comes despite the 27-year-old having started in less than a 3rd of City's Premier League outings, and the likes of Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte having enjoyed stellar individual seasons.

Cole slated

Ashley Cole just saying Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have been most influential for City this season. KDB has barely played, and when he has, has been way off his usual standard, surely?

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 14, 2019

Ashley Cole just said that De Bruyne and Sterling have been the two most influential players of the season. De Bruyne got his first assist of the season today and has been injured for most of it. Punditry.

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) April 14, 2019

Ashley Cole saying De Bruyne has been one of City’s most influential players this season. He’s only been injured for the majority of it Ash.

— Danny (@Dan_B94) April 14, 2019

Has Ashley Cole been watching the PL? Kevin De Bruyne has hardly played this season.

— Jordan 96/97 (@ChudeObuaya) April 14, 2019

Ashley Cole just said that Kevin De Bruyne has been 1 of city’s best players this season 😂😂 he’s missed near the whole season through injury fs

— Ryan Boomer (@boomer_ryan) April 14, 2019

Ashley Cole...

"Sterling and De bruyne are City's most important and effective players this season"

That's what you call a pundit who is only on the panel due to name.

De bruyne has registered his first assist today and Injured a lot.

🤣🤣🤣

I rest my case.#CRYMCI #LIVCHE

— Wass (@WassUtd) April 14, 2019