Audio By Carbonatix
Kevin de Bruyne signed off from his last home game for Manchester City on a high, as they beat Bournemouth to close in on a place in the Champions League next season - and both sides finished with 10 men.
City were stunned by Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final and desperately needed victory against the Cherries to help ensure they finish in the Premier League's top five in an otherwise miserable season.
Pep Guardiola's men are now third, in a strong position heading into Sunday's last game of the season at Fulham (16:00 BST), where a point should be enough to ensure a return to Europe's top table.
While all eyes were on De Bruyne on his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, a huge roar greeted the return from injuryof Rodri, who last featured back in September.
Striker Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with a sensational 30-yard strike which swerved and crashed into the net via the post.
De Bruyne, though, was sniffing a goal and should have converted when Marmoush laid the ball to him a couple of yards out with an open net to aim at, but to the astonishment of all in attendance, he somehow scooped his effort on to the crossbar.
Bernardo Silva poked home a second but City showed their vulnerabilities at the back in between the goals, as Evanilson stretched a foot out at a cross and rattled the post.
Substitute Nico Gonzalez lashed in the third, and although Dan Jebbison grabbed a late consolation, the loss ended Bournemouth's hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.
Both sides had players sent off as last man Mateo Kovacic was dismissed for a tug on Evanilson, while Lewis Cook was also given a red card for a lunge on Gonzalez.
Latest Stories
-
Martin Kpebu says he has not been formally charged by OSP
5 minutes -
Why not clean energy: Cost or access?
7 minutes -
Minority sounds alarm over fuel shortages crippling Ghana’s fishing communities
8 minutes -
Minority calls for urgent action to shield farmers from rising production challenges
10 minutes -
AGRA Ghana salutes Farmers as nation marks Farmers’ Day
26 minutes -
Bawumia’s favourability rises, widens lead in new Global Info analytics survey
28 minutes -
Minority accuses gov’t of neglect after GH¢5bn rice left to waste
33 minutes -
Why Tsatsu Tsikata’s legacy is Ghana’s future
38 minutes -
Farmers need support all year, not just awards’ — Prof. Boadi
47 minutes -
Spotify ranks ‘Konnected Minds’ Ghana’s No. 1 Podcast for 2025
49 minutes -
Minority caucus push for modern AI-driven agricultural and fisheries revolution
51 minutes -
Mahama reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to ending HIV/AIDS by 2030
51 minutes -
Martin Kpebu poised to defend claims against Special Prosecutor – Counsel
56 minutes -
Kareweh criticises govts for policies that look good but achieve little in agriculture
58 minutes -
Galamsey is killing our cocoa, our water, our future – Minority warns of food security meltdown
1 hour
