In a night charged with emotion at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City secured a crucial 3-1 victory against Bournemouth on May 20, 2025, bolstering their hopes of Champions League qualification while bidding farewell to club legend Kevin De Bruyne in his final home game. The match, played under the bright lights of a packed stadium, was a fitting tribute to the Belgian maestro, though it was not without drama as both teams were reduced to 10 men in a fiery encounter. Goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva, and Nico González sealed the win for Pep Guardiola’s side, while Bournemouth managed a late consolation through Daniel Jebbison.
The game kicked off with Manchester City, still reeling from a 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, showing intent to dominate from the outset. The hosts’ urgency was palpable, and it took just 14 minutes for Marmoush to ignite the crowd with a stunning strike. The Egyptian forward, paying homage to De Bruyne’s flair, unleashed a long-range rocket into the top corner, a goal-of-the-season contender that set the tone for City’s attacking display. The Etihad roared as City pressed forward, with De Bruyne himself nearly doubling the lead at the 25-minute mark, only to see his thumping effort rattle the crossbar. Bournemouth responded with a chance of their own, as Evanilson struck the post in the 33rd minute, reminding City of the Cherries’ threat on the counter.
City’s persistence paid off before halftime when Bernardo Silva slotted home from close range, capitalizing on a slick team move to make it 2-0. The goal underscored City’s dominance, but Bournemouth’s resilience kept them in the contest, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga making several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The second half, however, took a dramatic turn. In the 67th minute, Mateo Kovacic was shown a straight red card for a clumsy pull-back on Evanilson, who was through on goal. Guardiola, forced to adapt, made the bold decision to substitute De Bruyne for Nico González, a move that allowed the departing star to receive a thunderous standing ovation from the Etihad faithful. Moments later, Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook was also sent off for a studs-up challenge on González, leveling the playing field but intensifying the match’s physicality.
Despite the numerical parity, City maintained their composure. González, the young Spaniard introduced in De Bruyne’s place, proved his worth in the 89th minute, scoring his first Premier League goal with a composed finish from the right side of the box. The goal all but secured the three points for City, though Bournemouth managed a late response in the 96th minute when Jebbison found the net, offering a glimmer of hope for the visitors. It was too little, too late, as City held firm to claim a vital victory.
The match was as much about De Bruyne’s farewell as it was about the result. The Belgian, who has defined an era at Manchester City with his vision and precision, addressed the crowd post-match in an emotional speech, reflecting on his 10 years at the club. “Manchester is home,” he said, visibly moved as he thanked the fans, his teammates, and Guardiola, who was seen shedding tears during the commemorations. The club confirmed that a statue will be erected in De Bruyne’s honor, a lasting tribute to a player who matched Cesc Fabregas’ Premier League assist record during the game.
For City, the win propelled them to third in the Premier League table, needing just one more point from their final match against Fulham to secure Champions League football next season. The return of Rodri from an eight-month injury layoff added further optimism, with the Spaniard anchoring the midfield seamlessly. Bournemouth, meanwhile, saw their faint hopes of a European spot extinguished, despite a spirited performance under Andoni Iraola. The Cherries’ record points total this season remains a point of pride, but their inability to capitalize on key moments at the Etihad underscored the gap between them and the league’s elite.
Guardiola praised his team’s resilience, noting the significance of the win after a challenging week. “We needed this for Kevin, for the fans, for our season,” he said, acknowledging the emotional weight of De Bruyne’s departure.