Manchester City delivered a composed, controlled, and occasionally electrifying performance at the Etihad to defeat Bournemouth 3-1 in their final home game of the season — a night that doubled as a heartfelt farewell to club legend Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro was at the heart of much of City’s best play in what was a must-win fixture to strengthen their Champions League bid. In a game that had everything — wonder goals, red cards, missed sitters, and late drama — it was City’s composure that ultimately outshone Bournemouth’s spirit.
City wasted little time stamping their authority. Just 14 minutes in, Omar Marmoush sent shockwaves around the stadium with a sensational strike from 30 yards. Set up by Kovacic, who had a stellar first half, Marmoush was allowed space to drift forward before unleashing a ferocious shot that dipped and swerved past Kepa into the top-left corner. It was a jaw-dropping goal, a perfect way for the Egyptian forward to bounce back from his FA Cup Final penalty miss — and an early contender for Goal of the Season.
The hosts didn’t take their foot off the gas. De Bruyne came agonizingly close to doubling the lead in the 25th minute when Marmoush squared the ball to him in front of an open net — only for the usually clinical Belgian to crash his shot off the underside of the crossbar. The Etihad crowd gasped in disbelief, but just minutes later their nerves were settled.
In the 38th minute, Kovacic delivered a crisp pass into the box that Ilkay Gundogan latched onto before feeding Bernardo Silva. Silva, with all the calm of a seasoned pro, slotted it past Kepa with a deft finish, doubling City’s lead. At halftime, City’s 1.33 xG to Bournemouth’s 0.65 reflected their dominance, as did their 2-0 lead.
The second half brought new drama — not least in the form of two red cards. Mateo Kovacic, one of City’s standout performers, saw red in the 67th minute after pulling back Evanilson, who was clean through on goal. The tactical foul, while deliberate, left City down to ten men. But Bournemouth’s numerical advantage lasted only six minutes. In the 73rd minute, Lewis Cook lunged dangerously at Nico González with a studs-up challenge. The referee had no choice but to send Cook off, restoring parity in personnel.
City made sure to capitalize. In the 89th minute, Nico González — the young substitute who had just picked himself up from Cook’s reckless challenge — produced a moment of individual brilliance. Latching onto a clever pass from Nunes, González brought the ball down with finesse, danced past Adam Smith, and curled an unstoppable finish into the top-right corner. It was his first Premier League goal and a crowning moment in a game full of them.
Though Bournemouth tried to fight back late, with chances from Semenyo and Evanilson forcing saves, it was too little, too late. A loose back-pass from Nunes in stoppage time allowed Daniel Jebbison to score a scrappy consolation goal — his effort deflecting over Ederson for a final score of 3-1 — but it didn’t change the complexion of the match.
Manchester City’s 1.60 xG and overall composure under pressure demonstrated their quality. Bournemouth, for their part, produced 1.06 xG and had spells of threat, but their European hopes officially ended with this defeat.
More than just a win, this night was about Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian, applauded throughout, played his last match at the Etihad with the grace and creativity that defined his decade at the club. Though he missed a golden chance and didn’t score, his fingerprints were all over City’s attacking build-up — a fitting curtain call to a career that changed the trajectory of Manchester City Football Club.
The evening also marked the return of Rodri, City’s midfield anchor, who had been absent in recent matches. His presence brought renewed control and balance to Guardiola’s system. Though he started on the bench, Rodri entered the match in the second half to restore calm to City's midfield following Mateo Kovacic’s red card. His passing range and positional intelligence helped City navigate the final phase of the game, particularly as they sought to keep possession and deny Bournemouth any sustained momentum after it went down to 10 men as well.
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City Manager):
"Tonight was emotional for all of us. Saying goodbye to Kevin in front of the home fans, after everything he's given to this club, was very special. He played with intelligence, with heart, and showed again why he’s been so important to us over the years."
"As for the performance, I’m really pleased. We started strong, created a lot, and scored some beautiful goals — Omar’s strike was sensational. After the red card, we stayed calm, controlled the tempo, and showed our mentality. Nico [González] took his chance brilliantly too. He’s a young player who has a lot to offer."
"We still have work to do, one more game, but this was a big step for us toward securing Champions League football next season. That’s the minimum expectation at this club."
He also expressed his satisfaction with Rodri's return after being sidelined for eight months due to a knee injury sustained in September 2024, made a late appearance in the match. Guardiola acknowledged the significance of Rodri's comeback, stating that while he was pleased to have him back on the pitch, he emphasized the need for patience as Rodri regains full match fitness. The manager noted that Rodri still requires time to reach his optimal level, but his presence is vital for the team's midfield stability.
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth Manager):
"We knew coming here would be very tough. City are City — even without a trophy this year, they’re still one of the best sides in the world. We had a good response in the second half, created chances, and got a goal back. But the red card to Lewis [Cook] came at a bad moment and made it difficult to chase the game."
"I’m proud of the group. We’ve grown this season and pushed some of the top teams. We’ll take lessons from today — small details matter at this level. Now we regroup and look ahead to the next campaign."
While Andoni Iraola did not offer a lengthy tribute to Kevin De Bruyne, he did acknowledge the midfielder’s impact and legacy in his post-match comments:
"Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the most influential players in the Premier League for the last decade. You don’t get many who can control a game like he does. Even today, he was everywhere — creating, pressing, leading. It’s never easy to play against him, and I have huge respect for what he’s achieved."
City now leap to third in the Premier League standings, easing pressure on Pep Guardiola and setting themselves up for a potentially strong finish to a difficult season. For De Bruyne and the fans, it was a parting gift: three goals, three points, and one unforgettable farewell.
