The Belgian made his first appearance since January and duly scored in a comfortable win for his club that allows them to hold on to fourth place

Kevin De Bruyne was immediately back on the scoresheet after making his Manchester City return, netting the second goal as his side thumped Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday.

The 24-year-old's last appearance for Manuel Pellegrini's men came in January when he sustained a knee injury, but was named in City's starting XI at the Vitality Stadium.

The visitors were immediately on the front foot as Fernando turned home a wonderful cushioned header from Jesus Navas' corner, before De Bruyne finished off a slick move involving Sergio Aguero and David Silva after Bournemouth gave the ball away.

Navas was again instrumental in setting up City's third, floating in a cross from the right which Aguero rose highest to meet.

After that, the fourth-placed outfit remained untroubled and added a fourth as the clock ticked down through Aleksandar Kolarov, who smashed in a trademark piledriver.

City sit three points ahead of West Ham in fourth and will look ruefully upon the run of two wins from seven matches without De Bruyne that all but ended their Premier League title ambitions.

Lewis Grabban and Eunan O'Kane replaced the injured Benik Afobe and Harry Arter in the Bournemouth line-up.

De Bruyne returned as one of five changes to the City side that lost 1-0 to United in the Manchester derby.

Josh King pulled a shot across the face of goal on the end of a fifth-minute Bournemouth counter-attack but Willy Caballero, deputising for calf-injury victim Joe Hart in the City goal, was a virtual spectator as his team-mates ran riot during the opening stages.

Fernando reacted quickest to guide Navas' deflected seventh-minute corner into the net and De Bruyne's revitalising impact on a City attack without a goal in their previous three outings was already clear by the time he added a spectacular second.

Silva darted on to Aguero's chipped pass and cushioned a first-time flick for De Bruyne to fire home a volley on the edge of the box.

The Belgium international might have doubled his tally when he lashed a shot over following slick interplay down the left from Silva and Gael Clichy, but Aguero was on hand to pile further misery on Howe's side.

Navas dug out an excellent cross from the right byline for the Argentina striker to muscle above Adam Smith and head in at the far post.

Fernandinho rattled Artur Boruc's crossbar with a vicious dipping drive before Caballero was finally called into action, making a sharp reaction save to deny Charlie Daniels.

Within a minute of the restart, Boruc saved brilliantly when De Bruyne showed exquisite technique to arrow a volley towards the bottom corner.

The former Wolfsburg man continued to impress before making way for Kolarov to a warm ovation in the 57th-minute.

O'Kane dragged a shot wide as he sought a consolation for Bournemouth, who are now 13th and 11 points above third-bottom Sunderland,

Kolarov linked up with Samir Nasri - making his first appearance since October due to injury - to dart through a flagging Bournemouth defence and rifle number four with the game's final act.

But it is De Bruyne's re-emergence that will leave City in buoyant mood ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final trip to Paris Saint-Germain.

•  

   

  FULL TIME! Man City return to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Bournemouth, courtesy of goals from Fernando, De Bruyne, Aguero and Kolarov. The home side were poor throughout, with Pellegrini's men able to keep up the pace in the race for Champions League football. That's all that we have time for, we hope to see you again next time.
• 90'+3'

   

  Assist Samir Nasri
  Nasri picks up an assist on his long-awaited return to Premier League action.
• 90'+3'

   

   

   

  Goal Aleksandar Kolarov
  GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! GREAT STRIKE FROM KOLAROV! That's the icing on the cake! The Serbian substitute meanders his way into the penalty area, following some abject and pedestrian defending. Boruc has no chance, however, as Kolarov smashes an inch-perfect thunderbolt just inside the top-right corner!
• 90'+1'

   

  We're into the first of three minutes of added time.
• 90'

   

  Surman takes aim from the resulting free-kick, but cannons a shot into the wall. The rebound loops into a dangerous area, which Daniels flicks on, but a close-range header from Grabban is then saved by Caballero! He wasn't to know, but the linesman's flag was raised for offside anyhow.
• 89'

   

  Yellow Card Fernando Francisco Reges
  Fernando gets a yellow card for his latest of a catalogue of niggling fouls.
• 89'

   

  Daniels feeds the ball in to Pugh on the edge of the penalty area, with Fernando diving into a poor challenge. The ex-Porto midfilder gives away a free-kick right on the periphery of the box.
• 87'

   

  Pugh hangs up a cross from the left byline, but Caballero is quick off his line to claim the cross. Moments later, Bournemouth break again, but Zabaleta defuses the danger with a brilliant tackle. Solid stuff from the Argentine right-back again.
• 85'

   

  Francis wins a corner from Kolarov, as we head into the final five minutes at the Vitality Stadium. The home fans egg their players on, but the best Howe and company can hope for is a consolation goal. Ritchie delivers, but fails to beat the first man.
• 84'

   

  SubstitutionMax-Alain Gradel Dan Gosling
  Gradel gets plenty of applause as he jogs off, with Gosling having a five-minute run out within which to impress his coach.
• 83'

   

  Bournemouth are reluctant to press late on, with Man City keeping possession without any real challenge. Iheanacho is released in behind by an ambitious pass by Nasri, but the ball is too heavy and Boruc rushes off his line to collect.
• 81'

   

  Nasri feeds Clichy down the left-hand side, but the Frenchman opts to play backwards. Man City are in no rush at all, given their comfortable 3-0 lead. Pellegrini's men are going nowhere fast, with the Citizens keen to retain possession and give Bournemouth no encouragement.
• 79'

   

  SubstitutionSergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
  Aguero takes his leave after grabbing a goal, with young Iheanacho trotting onto the field for the last 10 minutes or so.
• 78'

   

  Gradel feeds Pugh overlapping down the left-hand side, but the substitute is brought back by the linesman's flag! He strayed just offside due to his overenthusiasm. Even though a share of the spoils isn't on the cards for Bournemouth, you can't fault their continued effort.
• 77'

   

  Gradel dips in another free-kick, which is half-cleared by Fernando! Ritchie watches the rebound onto his boot, but can only blast a first-time volley well beyond the near post. The Cherries are trying to get a consolation goal, but Caballero has looked comfortable throughout.
• 76'

   

  Chance for Kolarov! The Serbia international is found in space by Aguero, with Boruc getting down neatly to make a save! The aforementioned Argentine picks up the rebound, but is tackled well as he attempts to shoot.
• 75'

   

  Nasri tries to cut back a neat pass to Kolarov, but the Frenchman's attempted ball is intercepted with ease. Bournemouth respond with a break, but Mangala outmuscles Grabban once again. Caballero has been a spectator, really, since the restart.
• 73'

   

  Gradel sends a looping free-kick delivery into the box from the left flank, but Francis can only leap up to head well wide of the upright! Howe is still roaming his technical area and giving instructions to his players, who have given a slightly better account of themselves in the second half.
• 71'

   

  Bournemouth sweep possession out to the right-hand side, with Ritchie looking to make things happen. The ex-Swindon man, however, is sent flying to the turf by Fernandinho. No yellow cards on show from the referee thus far.
• 69'

   

  Big chance for O'Kane! A dangerous cross is only half-cleared by Mangala, with the Irishman the quickest to react inside the penalty area! He looks to shoot from close-range, but fires wide under intense pressure from Otamendi.
• 68'

   

  SubstitutionAdam Smith Tommy Elphick
  Smith limps off, with Tommy Elphick brought into the game after a lengthy injury absence of his own. Francis pushes out to right-back, with Bournemouth's club captain deployed at the heart of the back four.
• 67'

   

  There are set to be a few changes from both sides, with Smith also appearing to be in some trouble for the home side. Howe doesn't have a ready-made replacement, which could lead to some reshuffling from the Cherries.
• 66'

   

  SubstitutionDavid Josué Jiménez Silva Samir Nasri
  Silva takes his leave after a neat performance, with Nasri coming into the fray following an injury lay-off of around six months.
• 65'

   

  Pugh marauds his way to the byline, but a cut-back to O'Kane results in the Republic of Ireland man taking a tumble. Man City take their time with some low-tempo football, as Grabban slowly makes his way across to press. Bournemouth certainly aren't looking very bright or pro-active this afternoon.
• 63'

   

  Kolarov and Aguero combine, with the latter found in space in the opposition penalty area, but the linesman has his flag raised for offside. With less than half an hour left to play, Bournemouth aren't looking as though they will allow the visitors to rack up an embarrassing scoreline.
• 61'

   

  Zabaleta beats Pugh down the right-hand side, before dipping in a great cross from the byline that flashes across the face of goal! Aguero just can't quite get there. Gradel carries possession away on the break, before releasing Grabban, but Mangala covers across to marshal the former Norwich striker brilliantly.
• 60'

   

  Francis makes yet another block, following a poor cross from Navas. In the aftermath, Kolarov gives away a cheap free-kick. Bournemouth's fans are starting to find their voice a little more now, but a break-away goal from Man City would be bound to dampen the atmosphere once again.
• 59'

   

  Boruc flaps at a free-kick delivery from Silva, but just about manages to take the ball off the head of Fernandinho. The touch from the Polish goalkeeper results in conceding a corner, but Bournemouth are able to clear their lines at the set-piece well. O'Kane tries to lead a break for the hosts, but quickly loses out to Fernando.
• 57'

   

  SubstitutionKevin De Bruyne Aleksandar Kolarov
  De Bruyne comes off, after a presumably pre-planned hour, with the Belgian midfielder putting on a great performance on his return to first-team action.
• 56'

   

  Silva sets a pass out to the left, that invites Clichy to overlap, but the France international's cross is blocked well by Francis. Moments later, Aguero drives infield from the left, but the same Bournemouth central defender is on hand to defuse the danger.
• 55'

   

  Caballero and Clichy have a mix-up at the back post, after a neat delivery in from the left by Pugh. Gradel tries to press the Frenchman, who looks to control the ball rather than clear it, but the ex-Arsenal left-back holds his nerve and leathers a rushed clearance into touch.
• 54'

   

  Francis is the victim of a few handball claims, but the referee waves away the appeals from both Man City's players and fans. Moments later, Silva tries to curl a cross in towards Aguero from deep, but Boruc is able to claim inside his own box without a challenge.
• 52'

   

  The home side are getting a feel for possession in the early minutes of the second half, but Grabban is getting no service at all. Man City look comfortable when they're on the defensive, and very dangerous on the break. Navas drives down the right and zips in a low cross, but Francis hooks a near-post clearance to safety well.
• 50'

   

  Pugh tries to drive towards the edge of the penalty area, but Otamendi steps out well to outmuscle the substitute and defuse the danger. Bournemouth aren't put off, however, with the same player picked out by a searching long pass down the left, but this time Ritchie's release ball is too heavy to be controlled.
• 48'

   

  Aguero can only find the side netting with a low drive, with Boruc's net coming under fire in the early stages of the second half. Moments later, O'Kane is penalised for handball, but avoids a booking.
• 47'

   

  Important save from Boruc! De Bruyne shoots across goal with his right foot, forcing the former Celtic goalkeeper to get down smartly to make a good stop! Man City immediately threaten after the restart.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionJoshua King Marc Pugh
  Pugh comes into the fray in place of King, which will see Ritchie figure in a central area for the second period too.
• 46'

   

  We are back underway in the second half! Bournemouth have a lot to do if they are to find the minimum of three goals required for a point here this afternoon, with Man City's personnel all hoping to get on the scoresheet before the final whistle.
•  

   

  HALF-TIME! Man City steamroll their way into the interval, with the Citizens having a 3-0 lead over Bournemouth. Goals from Fernando, De Bruyne and Aguero have Pellegrini's men in a fantastic position, with the away side looking revitalised after the international break. Howe has a lot to say in the dressing room, you would imagine!
• 45'

   

  De Bruyne guides a pass out to the right-hand side, with Navas then picking the same team-mate out on the edge of the box. As the former Chelsea man looks to shoot, Francis slides in to deny him brilliantly. There is one minute of stoppage time.
• 43'

   

  Only a few minutes remain in the first period, with Bournemouth needing a goal to try and inspire some confidence from both themselves and their supporters. De Bruyne scampers in behind enemy lines, but the Belgian midfielder is caught narrowly offside in the process.
• 41'

   

  Grabban looks to break down the right channel, but Mangala does well to outmuscle the Bournemouth striker. The final ball from the hosts has just not been there this afternoon, with only Smith and Daniels causing any problems at all. Ritchie shoots from the edge of the box, but Clichy makes a timely block.
• 39'

   

  Narrowly over five minutes remain in the first half, with Man City still looking for a fourth. Navas lets fly from around 25 yards out, but the ex-Sevilla winger balloons an utterly terrible effort high into the stands behind Boruc's goal. Everyone wants to get in on the act for the Citizens, with confidence coursing through their team.
• 37'

   

  Ritchie has the chance to open play out to the right-hand side dangerously, but the Scotland international takes a stray touch and Silva nips in to steal possession. Man City respond with patient play, before Aguero goes on a run that ends with him curling a left-footed effort well beyond the far post.
• 35'

   

  Bournemouth are building up a little bit of confidence, with Man City happy to sit back and take a brief breather. Silva and De Bruyne are sat right in, with the Citizens clearly happy to hold onto what they've got for now. Howe's men get themselves a feel of possession, but another dangerous cross, this time from Daniels, is flicked over the bar by Grabban.
• 33'

   

  Smith advances down the right-hand side, before being given all of the time in the world to deliver a cross. His diagonal ball picks out Grabban, who had peeled off Otamendi brilliantly, but the ex-Norwich striker could only guide a terrible headed attempt high and wide of the target! Wasteful stuff.
• 31'

   

  Half chance for the hosts! A long, hopeful ball from the right is flicked on by Cook, with King then unable to shoot on the half turn. Grabban also tries to flick a shot goalwards, but Fernando concedes a corner. The set-piece is taken short and then swung in, with Surman able to meet it from close range! Caballero gets down smartly to parry a powerful save away!
• 29'

   

  Bournemouth string together a lovely move that works the ball from left to right. Smith tries to break beyond Clichy, but Silva tracks the Englishman to ensure that the Cherries continue to be wholly frustrated. Caballero has had nothing to do.
• 27'

   

  Bournemouth will need to be careful not to allow this contest to get embarrassing, as Man City continue to push for their fourth first-half goal. Pellegrini's side have been undoubtedly in control for the last 15 minutes, with the hosts struggling to get their foot on the ball.
• 25'

   

  Man City win themselves a corner, but this time the set-piece results in nothing. Silva and Navas combine down the right moments later, before play is switched out to the opposite flank. Fernandinho takes aim from the best part of 25 yards, but the ex-Shakhtar midfielder can only crash a dipping attempt onto the crossbar! Close again!
• 23'

   

  Bournemouth are leaving Grabban up top on his own, with King dropping in on the right-hand side of midfield. Ritchie is functioning as more of a number 10, with Howe having realised that he may have been a little bold to opt for a 4-4-2. His usual 4-1-4-1 wouldn't have allowed for the space that has permitted Silva and De Bruyne to run the show.
• 21'

   

  The Cherries look to be in utter shock, with the hosts conceding a quickfire treble on home soil. The away fans are making all of the noise, as a stuttering Bournemouth outfit try and pull themselves together. Gradel marauds down the left, but then sees a poor cross easily cut out. Howe is trying to pull another player into the midfield battle at present.
• 19'

   

  Assist Jesús Navas González
  Navas manages to dig out a beautifully weighted cross from the right byline, but Aguero has no right to get above two Bournemouth defenders in order to turn it home!
• 19'

   

   

   

  Goal Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo
  GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! THREE FOR MAN CITY! Aguero grabs another! The visitors threaten down the right-hand side, with Navas then hanging up a neat cross from the byline. The ex-Atletico striker climbs well above Smith, before planting a looping header beyond Boruc and Daniels!
• 18'

   

  The away outfit are looking rejuvenated by the return of De Bruyne, with the former Wolfsburg man showing real chemistry with Silva in the early stages. King tries to play a quick give-and-go with Surman, but the Norway international is denied by Clichy as he attempts to foray down the left at pace.
• 16'

   

  The visitors get their foot on the ball for a while, with the home atmosphere going a little bit flat. Despite Bournemouth initially looking confident, the spring in their step has been quickly quashed by Pellegrini's men. Without Arter in the midfield battle, Man City are finding a lot of room to play in. De Bruyne lashes criminally wide from the edge of the box, after being found in acres of space.
• 14'

   

  Man City find themselves 2-0 up, despite not really exerting any real, concrete domination. De Bruyne and Silva have looked bright, but otherwise the away side have been quite quiet. Aguero tries to get in on the act with a long-range effort, but the Argentina international balloons the ball well over the crossbar!
• 12'

   

  Assist David Josué Jiménez Silva
  Silva shows lovely vision and technique to cushion back a well-weighted pass to his Belgian teammate.
• 12'

   

   

   

  Goal Kevin De Bruyne
  GOOOOOOOOOOAL! DE BRUYNE NETS ON HIS RETURN! Daniels gives possession away terribly, with Aguero and Silva then combining in beautiful fashion. The latter sets back a neat pass to his Belgian teammate, who guides a first-time finish into the back of the net!
• 10'

   

  De Bruyne tries his luck from range, but Boruc is easily able to watch the ball trickle into his clutches. The former Chelsea man is looking sharp, despite his two-month injury lay-off. Man City are looking rather bright when pushing on.
• 9'

   

  Despite this contest not previously having any half chances, Man City find themselves ahead. Given that Arsenal have already taken the lead against Watford, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez, with Citizens do need to put their foot on the gas. Gradel threatens down the left for the Cherries, but the Ivorian's dangerous delivery into the box skips off the turf and behind for a goal kick.
• 7'

   

   

   

  Goal Fernando Francisco Reges
  GOOOOOOOOOAL! FERNANDO GIVES THE AWAY SIDE THE LEAD! A corner is whipped in from the right by Navas, with a looping delivery finding its way towards the Brazilian following a deflection! Boruc is then caught out by a lovely, cushioned attempt from the ex-Porto man.
• 6'

   

  Silva glides forward, with the Spaniard finding Navas making tracks down the right. De Bruyne is picked out by the former moments later, with the ex-Wolfsburg midfielder linking up neatly with the Spain international thus far. Man City win themselves a corner for their trouble.
• 5'

   

  Clichy finds De Bruyne breaking down the left-hand side, but the latter's eventual cross from the byline is cut out by Francis. Bournemouth scamper forward in response, but a shot from King is dragged terribly wide of the left upright. A bright start on the coast!
• 3'

   

  Bournemouth launch a couple of interesting diagonals forward, with Zabaleta doing well at the back post to head a dangerous cross away from his man. Man City respond with a break, as Aguero and De Bruyne combine. The Belgium international tries to shoot from the edge of the box, but Gradel tracks back to intervene.
• 1'

   

  We are underway in the first half! Bournemouth will be high on confidence, despite their recent defeat to high flying Spurs, with Man City desperately scrambling to try and stop their league season from entirely capitulating. Champions League football is the aim for the away side.
•  

   

  Man City substitutes: Sagna, Nasri, Kolarov, Bony, Demichelis, Wright, Iheanacho.
•  

   

  Man City starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, De Bruyne; Aguero.
•  

   

  Bournemouth substitutes: Gosling, Elphick, Pugh, Iturbe, Federici, Distin, Murray.
•  

   

  Bournemouth starting line-up (4-4-2): Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, O'Kane, Surman, Gradel; King, Grabban.
•  

   

  TEAM NEWS: Willy Caballero deputises for the absent Joe Hart, with Eliaquim Mangala also featuring due to Vincent Kompany's recent injury woes. Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy are preferred to Bacary Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov, with fewer surprises further forward. Jesus Navas starts, with Raheem Sterling injured, while Kevin de Bruyne returns to competitive action.
•  

   

  TEAM NEWS: No big changes from the home side, with their back four remained settled and unchanged. Matt Ritchie starts on the right, after scoring for Scotland during the international break, with Max Gradel deployed on the other flank. Eunan O'Kane and Andrew Surman make up the central midfield two, as Howe opts for what appears to be a 4-4-2, meaning that Dan Gosling drops to the bench. Lewis Grabban and Josh King are the strike duo, with Benik Afobe absent this afternoon.
•  

   

  After four games unbeaten, Bournemouth came crashing back down to reality last time out, as they lost out 3-0 to title chasing Tottenham. Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, has a lot to do to inspire his charges back into form. Man City have won merely one of their last six top-flight fixtures, with that victory coming against the division's bottom club Aston Villa.
•  

   

  Hello and welcome to one of the Premier League's afternoon kick-offs, as Manchester City travel to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The visitors are four points off third-placed Arsenal's pace, with both West Ham and Manchester United breathing down the Citizens' necks. Eddie Howe's men, on the other hand, are closing in on the top half of the table, if they can keep their recent form rolling.