De Bruyne admits he's some way off full fitness after masterminding City win

Kevin De Bruyne was back at his inspirational best as Manchester City beat Newcastle 3-2 but admits he can only manage short bursts of magic.

The Belgian playmaker has not featured in the Premier League since injuring his hamstring in the opening-day win over Burnley.

But he shook off the cobwebs to provide a sensational goal and assist at St James' Park after coming off the bench with his side trailing 2-1 in the 69th minute.

De Bruyne, 32, told TNT Sports: "I'm dead honestly. It was crazy. 

"I missed this. I had a big injury and I needed the time and I enjoyed myself but I worked hard to come back to this stage and this environment. 

"To be fair it was more willpower than anything else it was crazy. 

"I know I'm not able to do that for 90 minutes at the moment. But I know I can put in a shift for 20 or 25 minutes at full pace.

"I feel it in my lungs the cold but it can't be any better than this."

De Bruyne drove towards the box to draw City level with a brilliant finish from outside the area after just five minutes on the field.

And he then set up fellow substitute Oscar Bobb's dramatic late winner with a trademark delivery to help the Citizens move within two points of leaders Liverpool.

After netting his first Premier League goal, 20-year-old Bobb said: "It's an amazing feeling, just watching from the bench it was such a high-tempo match and the manager told me to go and score so thankfully I could. 

"It's a lifelong dream and to do it with the best team in the world I can't explain it. 

"We could hear them [the fans] all game and they helped us a lot today and this win is for them.

"I said thank you to him [De Bruyne] after and he's the only one in the world who can do that so it's great."