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 21:17 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

There are plenty of City substitutes warming up, including Nathan Ake, Nico O'Reilly and Phil Foden, but no sign of Rodri so far. Perhaps his comeback won't occur tonight but his return to fitness should provide a fillip ahead of the Club World Cup.

[20 May 2025 21:16 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

57 mins: Great ball forward from Cook to Kerkez, who floats a delightful cross from wide on the left into the centre. Brooks can’t quite get a toe to it at full stretch, and it rolls out harmlessly.

[20 May 2025 21:15 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

55 mins: It’s felt a bit flat so far in this half so far, but City press forward again. Haaland gets the better of Zabarnyi and lays it off for De Bruyne, who has a shot blocked by £50m man Huijsen.

“Oh, Kevin de Bruyne” rings out again.

The Belgian takes a corner, which pinballs around the box for a bit before it’s cleared.

[20 May 2025 21:11 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

51 mins: The volume notches up again as De Bruyne receives the ball in space down the centre. The ball is worked to Nunes but he launches his effort way over the bar, no replay of Marmoush’s wonder-goal there.

[20 May 2025 21:07 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

47 mins: Chance for Bournemouth early doors in this half. Kerkez crosses from the left but Evanilson can’t get his header on target.

Little bit quiet inside the Etihad at the moment.

[20 May 2025 21:04 · Flo Clifford]

SECOND HALF: Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

45 mins: Back underway. City have not really been troubled so far - can Bournemouth change things in this half?

Kluivert is replaced by Brooks.

[20 May 2025 20:55 · Flo Clifford]

City on course to move from sixth to third

City are on course to jump from sixth to third, which would mean they would only require a point on Sunday to get a Champions League spot. As it stands, Bournemouth's hopes of a maiden trip into Europe are ending.

Richard Jolly

[20 May 2025 20:49 · Flo Clifford]

HALF-TIME: Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

45+2 mins: Bournemouth have a couple of chances to end this half but can’t do anything with them.

Nunes does well to make the crucial block on Kluivert, in the middle of the area from a promising Bournemouth cutback. The visitors come again but Kluivert then launches a volley over the bar.

And that’s the end of the half, with City firmly on top and cruising into the Champions League places as it stands.

[20 May 2025 20:46 · Flo Clifford]

Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

45 mins: Two minutes added on to this half.

[20 May 2025 20:46 · Flo Clifford]

CLOSE! Manchester City 2-0 Bournemouth

45 mins: Bournemouth are just looking a bit flat. As it stands City are up into third and booking their place in the Champions League next season.

Araujo does well to get the ball at full stretch off a sprinting Gvardiol down the left, but he goes into the book for the foul. Seems a bit harsh. Free-kick to City.

De Bruyne’s delivery is punched away by Kepa but City recyle; Haaland is in tap-in territory but stumbles under pressure and the keeper collects. Should have just held onto it the first time.