Rodri comment sets up Kevin De Bruyne masterclass for Man City run-in

When Rodri stopped to speak to a small group of reporters in the foyer at St James' Park on Saturday, just a few yards short of the Manchester City team bus, it was the match officials he had in his sights.

A game that had ended in delirium for City didn't stop the frustrations from spewing out. The Spanish midfielder was annoyed at the inconsistency of referee Chris Kavanagh, bemused at his own disciplinary record this season, riled by Newcastle's time-wasting and generally confused about the rules of the game at the moment.

But in amongst articulating those feelings, he did open up on the game. On the importance of that moment for Oscar Bobb, the value of wins like this on the road, the sense of a team playing well, and on Kevin De Bruyne's majestic, game-changing return.

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City were behind when De Bruyne came on with 21 minutes to go and triumphant when they left the pitch. The Belgian turned the tide, scoring a brilliant equaliser and registering a sublime assist for Bobb. In barely 40 minutes of Premier League football, half with his hamstring about to snap and half with it only recently pieced back together, he has one goal and two assists.

The 32-year-old certainly made an impact at St James' Park and he did it after around about a month of training, having returned to the group the week City were in Jeddah winning the Club World Cup. But as Rodri discussed De Bruyne's impact, a throwaway line about his fitness suggested he is still building up his stamina.

"Kev, with no physicality right now, he has the talent to do these amazing things," he said.

For a player with no physicality,