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, 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 injury of 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.
