Kevin de Bruyne ended his last home game for Manchester City just the way he would have wantednit to go, as they beat Bournemouth to leave their chances of playing Champions League football next season in their hands.
City were stunned by Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final and desperately to win against the Cherries to make sure they finish in the Premier League’s top five in an otherwise indifferent season.
Pep Guardiola’s men are now third on the table, in a strong position heading into Sunday’s last game of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage where a point would guarantee a return to Europe’s top tier of football.
While all eyes were on De Bruyne on his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, a massive welcome ovation greeted the return from injury of Balloon d’Or winner, 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 scored a second but City showed thier inability to prevent goals 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.
The three points against Bournemouth means that avoiding defeat at Craven Cottage on Sunday is Man city need to qualify for the Champions League.