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
-
Prof Kwaku Asare punches holes into Oppong Nkrumah’s Supreme Court suit over legal vacation
4 minutes -
Analysis: Prof Kwaku Azar dissects Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s suit against legal vacation
9 minutes -
A population this young is not a problem; it is an opportunity – Afenyo-Markin
14 minutes -
Asoukor bridge project remains ongoing despite rainfall disruptions – Kwakye Ofosu
18 minutes -
GNECC calls for stronger tracking of education funds for girls, children with disabilities
31 minutes -
New African-centred platform launched to equip workforce with green economy skills
32 minutes -
Builders unearth €9m gold stash sealed in walls of Belgian property
33 minutes -
E.P. Church Ghana clears GH¢11m in debt payments, outstanding balance falls to GH¢3.17m
35 minutes -
Government now criminalising the same political commentary it benefited from – Afenyo-Markin
36 minutes -
NPP parliamentary aspirant Sylvester Isang unveils eight-point ‘Nandom agenda’ ahead of primary
37 minutes -
Teens who fled Venezuela after deadly quakes caught in another disaster in Colombia
43 minutes -
Location matters more than house size when buying property – Architect Birmeh
43 minutes -
US says dozens of countries helped China dodge Trump’s tariffs
45 minutes -
US missionary released following kidnap in Niger, Christian group says
47 minutes -
COKA, Kokofu, Abronye ,Okoe-Boye among big names in NPP regional elections
53 minutes