Man City vs Bournemouth LIVE: Hosts into Champions League places in Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game

Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth: Kevin De Bruyne’s farewell tour was cut short by Mateo Kovacic’s red card but the hosts wrapped up all three points to move to third

Dean Henderson reveals six-word comment that sparked Pep Guardiola heated exchange

Manchester City’s bid to qualify for the Champions League received a boost as they gave Kevin De Bruyne the send-off he deserved in his final home game.

The hosts beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad to move into third in the top flight, and require only one more point to secure Champions League qualification for next season despite a largely poor campaign.

Omar Marmoush broke the deadlock in the opening stages with a moment of brilliance, curling in a screamer from nearly 30 yards out, while De Bruyne himself had the chance to double their lead but rattled the crossbar from close range in the first half.

Bernardo Silva made sure of their lead, however, as Bournemouth were penalised for a largely sluggish and uninspiring display, before substitute Nico Gonzalez - on for the departing De Bruyne - slotted home his first Premier League goal shortly before full-time.

It was a dramatic game with both sides reduced to 10 men in rapid succession, City hit first when Mateo Kovacic was sent off for a pull-back on Evanilson when the Bournemouth forward was through on goal - necessitating De Bruyne’s early exit - before Lewis Cook was also given a straight red for a studs-up challenge on substitute Nico Gonzalez. Daniel Jebbison clawed one back for the Cherries but it was too little, too late as they saw their own European hopes go up in smoke.

Relive the action with The Independent’s liveblog here:

Manchester City vs Bournemouth LIVE

• '14 GOAL! Marmoush scores stunner to send City into third as it stands [MCI 1-0 BOU]
• '25 HITS THE BAR! De Bruyne rattles crossbar with thumping effort [MCI 1-0 BOU]
• '33 HITS THE POST! Evanilson hits the woodwork as Bournemouth break [MCI 1-0 BOU]
• '38 GOAL! Silva doubles City lead as Bournemouth fail to clear lines [MCI 2-0 BOU]
• '67 RED CARD! Kovacic sent off for denying Evanilson as last man [MCI 2-0 BOU]
• '73 RED CARD! Bournemouth also reduced to 10 men after high Cook challenge [MCI 2-0 BOU]
• '89 GOAL! Gonzalez scores first Premier League goal to secure all three points

[20 May 2025 21:39 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

80 mins: Gonzalez was hobbling after that challenge but is back up and fine to continue.

Nervy moments for Bournemouth as Kepa comes way off his line to deny Haaland and then takes an age to get back into his goal, with City still lurking.

Smith now barges Haaland over and complains about conceding a free-kick.

[20 May 2025 21:33 · Flo Clifford]

RED CARD! Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

73 mins: What is going on?! Cook brings down substitute Gonzalez, catching him on the shin with the follow-through, and both sides are down to 10 in a ludicrous six minutes.

[20 May 2025 21:31 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

Mateo Kovacic's red card may make these final 20 minutes more nervous for City. It also rules him out of their final-day trip to Fulham. The forgotten man Nico Gonzalez may suddenly have a big part to play.

Richard Jolly

[20 May 2025 21:31 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

72 mins: Smith replaces Araujo for Bournemouth as they look to make good their numerical advantage.

Ederson also picked up a yellow card for protesting against Kovacic’s red.

[20 May 2025 21:29 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

70 mins: “Oh, Kevin De Bruyne” rings out again as the star man is withdrawn for Nico Gonzalez. He looks emotional and gets a big hug from Guardiola as he troops off, waving to the appreciative crowd. What a career, what a player for City.

[20 May 2025 21:28 · Flo Clifford]

RED CARD! Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

67 mins: Kovacic pulls down Evanilson; he’s the last man and it’s a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity. It’s his second red of the season and all of a sudden things could get interesting.

[20 May 2025 21:26 · Flo Clifford]

RED CARD! Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

67 mins: Well, well, well! Kovacic sees red!

Pep Guardiola quite literally jumps up and down and stamps his foot on the sideline.

[20 May 2025 21:24 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

65 mins: Haaland gets the better of Huijsen, rounding him and taking a touch, but Zabarnyi is there to block.

Now Marmoush fancies another 30-yard screamer! But it takes a deflection and flies narrowly over the net.

[20 May 2025 21:21 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

62 mins: A huge roar from the crowd as Rodri comes out to warm up, applauding the crowd in response as he jogs down the pitch.

[20 May 2025 21:19 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

60 mins: Bit more intent from Bournemouth now as Semenyo darts in from the right and opens himself up to strike, but it flies high and wide.

Now De Bruyne makes a run in the opposite box and shoots from near the byline, but Kepa leaps onto it.