On Sunday, Manchester City defeated Huddersfield 5-0 in the FA Cup third round, marking the long-awaited return of Kevin De Bruyne to the team.
Since tearing his hamstring in City's Premier League opener against Burnley in August, Belgium midfielder De Bruyne has been sidelined.
He returned to action in the 57th minute of City's resounding victory over the Championship underdogs at the Etihad Stadium.
As the 32-year-old took Julian Alvarez's place in the stands, cries of "Oh Kevin De Bruyne" resounded throughout the crowd.
When De Bruyne was brought on, Pep Guardiola's team was ahead thanks to goals from Alvarez and Phil Foden.
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After De Bruyne's introduction, City scored three more goals, one from Ben Jackson's own goal, one from another Foden effort, and one from Jeremy Doku, who came on as a second-half substitute after suffering an injury.
Appropriately, De Bruyne's skillful lofted pass set up Doku's goal.
Although City has managed to survive without De Bruyne, their hopes of winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League will be significantly enhanced by his exceptional midfield play.
The first step back to Wembley could have been more complex for City, who set their sights on more hardware in the new year after winning five major trophies in 2023.
In 1987, City defeated Huddersfield 10-1 in a match that featured three hat-tricks.
Although Huddersfield wasn't quite as badly treated, there was always a sense that City would advance even without Rodri, who was missing because of his grandmother's passing—and Erling Haaland, who was hurt.
In the 33rd minute, Foden broke through Huddersfield's defense when Alvarez's attempt blocked his shot at the near post.
Four minutes later, Alvarez scored City's second goal, reaching to tap in a pass from Rico Lewis from close range.
De Bruyne had only been on for a few seconds when Oscar Bobb's shot, which deflected off Jackson, went in for City's third.
In the 65th minute, Foden scored again with a skillful low shot from 20 yards out.
In the 74th minute, Doku, a winger from Belgium, completed the demolition with a first-time finish after receiving a brilliant pass from De Bruyne.
