Kevin De Bruyne made his final appearance for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola's Champions League chasers secured an important 3-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
The Belgian playmaker announced last month that he will be bringing the curtain down on a glittering 10-year career at Man City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Etihad faithful were ready to serenade when De Bruyne was gifted an open goal from five yards out inside the first half, but City's No.17 could only strike the underside of the crossbar to the amazement of everyone in the stadium.
However, Man City celebrated either side of that sitter, as Omar Marmoush scored a sensational 30-yard opener before Bernardo Silva added a second on the stroke of half time to put the Citizens in control.
A fairly uneventful second half livened-up when both Mateo Kovacic and Lewis Cook were sent off within the space of five minutes, before Ballon d'Or winner Rodri received a rapturous welcome when he came off the substitutes' bench for the final 10 minutes after eight months out with an ACL injury.
January signing Nico Gonzalez sealed three crucial points for the Citizens when he fired home his first goal for the club in the closing stages, before Bournemouth pulled back a consolation with virtually the final kick of the game through Daniel Jebbison.
Victory for Man City have strengthened their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League, as they have moved up three places into third spot, two points clear of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in the three places below them heading into an exciting final day of the campaign.
As for Bournemouth, they were unable to complete their first-ever league double over the Citizens and defeat has ended their hopes of securing Conference League football for next season, as they remain 11th in the table and five points behind eighth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with just one game left to play
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Oliver Thomas live from the Etihad Stadium:
Pep Guardiola was adamant prior to kickoff that his Man City side will qualify for the Champions League, and their dominate display against Bournemouth has now put them in the driving seat to secure a place at Europe's to table for a 15th straight season.
Fresh from their disappointing FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, Man City simply had no choice but to dust themselves and put all their remaining energy into their important showdown with Bournemouth, something they achieved with aplomb on De Bruyne's special night.
De Bruyne will not want to watch his remarkable first-half miss back again, but he nevertheless was able to enjoy another deserved moment in the limelight and showed glimpses of what he is still capable off, which is sure to have alerted interested suitors ahead of the summer.
City's No.17, who will undoubtedly go down as a Man City icon as and one of the Premier League's greatest players, may not have ended his final season at the club with major silverware, but he earned a fitting send-off in his final home match and has helped Guardiola's side move one step closer to Champion League qualification.
As for Bournemouth, there season is ending on a bit o a whimper; just two wins in their last 12 Premier League games have been posted which has seen them fall out of European contention and into the bottom half of the table, having previously been dreaming of Champions League football only a few months ago.
MAN CITY VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
Omar Marmoush goal vs. Bournemouth (14th min, Man City 1-0 Bournemouth)
"This is absolutely stunning!" ☄️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
Omar Marmoush's wonder strike has put Manchester City in the lead 🤩 pic.twitter.com/v4TqDoCJvz
Simply sensational!
Omar Marmoush receives the ball centrally from Mateo Kovacic and takes a couple of touches before unleashing a phenomenal 30-yard shot that dips and pings off the post before nestling into the back of the net - Kepa Arrizabalaga had no chance!
The Egyptian loves scoring at the Etihad, as he has now scored all seven of his Premier League goals on home soil since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
25th min: Kevin De Bruyne miss!
"They were ready to serenade" 🎶
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
HOW has Kevin De Bruyne missed from there?! 🫨 pic.twitter.com/gmHrX2HfBu
Another 'wow' moment, but for the wrong reasons...
Marmoush bursts down the left flank and rolls a delightful ball across the six-yard area towards De Bruyne unmarked near the back post. However, with the goal at his mercy, the Belgian taps his shot against the underside of the crossbar from five yards out, leaving the Etihad stunned into silence.
How did he miss that one?
33rd min: Evanilson hits the post!
Bournemouth almost restore parity as Marcus Tavernier runs down the left and squares across for Evanilson, but the Brazilian is stretching and cannot quite wrap enough of his foot around the shot, instead striking the outside of the post.
Bernardo Silva goal vs. Bournemouth (38th min, Man City 2-0 Bournemouth)
Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva link up for a silky second goal for Manchester City ⚽️💨 pic.twitter.com/GVELM66UTa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
Man City double their advantage on the stroke of half time!
Bournemouth cannot clear their lines and the ball eventually falls to Ilkay Gundogan on the right side of the area close to the byline. The midfielder then delivers a smart cut-back into the path of Bernardo Silva, who drives home a close-range shot at the near post.
45th min: Double save from Kepa Arrizabalaga!
The Bournemouth goalkeeper punches De Bruyne's free kick away from goal at his near post and the ball falls to Gundogan on the edge of the area. He strikes a powerful, first-time shot towards goal and it takes a slight deflection, but Kepa is equal to it and makes a brilliant reaction stop to keep the score at 2-0.
67th min: Red card! Mateo Kovacic sent off for Man City
Mateo Kovacic sees red for pulling back Evanilson as he looked to be through on goal 🟥😬 pic.twitter.com/wss1rSOrdT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
Josko Gvardiol's pass into his own half is a loose and plays Evanilson through on goal. He latches onto the ball just inside City half's before Kovacic brings him down with an arm pull. Referee Thomas Bramall was left with no choice but to banish the red card to the Croatian, leaving Guardiola fuming on the touchline.
73rd min: Another red card! Lewis Cook sent off for Bournemouth
Lewis Cook sees red for this challenge on Nico! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/awzzIyTdZ3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
Bournemouth's spell with an extra man was short-lived, as Lewis Cook is shown a straight red for a late lunging tackle, catching substitute Nico Gonzalez high on his shin with the studs of his right boot.
Nico Gonzalez goal vs. Bournemouth (89th min, Man City 3-0 Bournemouth)
Substitute Nico Gonzalez cooly converts to cap off a dominant Manchester City performance 💥📈 pic.twitter.com/4ZhBiUG0ON
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2025
Three points sealed for Man City!
January signing Nico Gonzalez celebrates scoring is first goal for the club after making a smart run rom deep into the final third before whipping a sweet right-footed shot beyond Kepa at the near post.
Daniel Jebbison goal vs. Man City (90+6 min, Man City 3-1 Bournemouth)
A consolation strike for the Cherries is converted by substitute Daniel Jebbison.
Man City are careless at the back and Jebbsion is there to pounce and slot the ball through Ederson's legs.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BERNARDO SILVA
© Imago
On a night rightly dedicated to Kevin De Bruyne, it was another playmaker in the form of Bernardo Silva who excelled inn Sky Blue.
The Portuguese scored an important second goal for City just before half time and showed his class throughout the contest on the right side of midfield, while he also won 100% of his ground duels (4/4).
MAN CITY VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Man City 58%-42% Bournemouth
Shots: Man City 12-8 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Man City 5-2 Bournemouth
Corners: Man City 3-1 Bournemouth
Fouls: Man City 7-13 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
846 - Since Opta have the metric on record (2003-04), no player has created more chances for their teammates in the Premier League than Kevin De Bruyne. Maestro. #MCIBOU pic.twitter.com/1MYEsFOWvT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 20, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Both teams will now turn their attention to their final Premier League fixtures of the 2024-25 season on Sunday afternoon, with Man City travelling to Craven Cottage to face top-eight hopefuls Fulham, and Bournemouth welcoming already-relegated Leicester City to the Vitality Stadium.
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Oliver Thomas
