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
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:
Man City to make decision on Jack Grealish future at end of season
Another City player could be joining Kevin De Bruyne in moving on to pastures new...
Pep Guardiola has said a decision will be made on Jack Grealish’s Manchester City future at the end of the season.
The England international, signed for £100million four years ago, has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium since his starring role in the 2023 treble-winning campaign.
The 29-year-old has made just seven Premier League starts this term and was not summoned from the bench during Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Man City to make decision on Jack Grealish future at end of season
Pep Guardiola reveals stance over Kevin De Bruyne’s Man City farewell
Pep Guardiola has cast doubt over whether Kevin De Bruyne will start in his farewell to the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City in the summer after a decade and is arguably the club’s greatest ever player.
But City face a crucial game against Bournemouth on Tuesday, with Guardiola’s team needing four points from their last two matches to qualify for the Champions League, while De Bruyne played the whole of the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Guardiola claimed that De Bruyne is less concerned about starting against Bournemouth than seeing City book a top-five finish.
“What Kevin wants is that we win the game to qualify for the Champions League,” Guardiola said. “I'm going to decide the best players to win the game against Bournemouth.”
Pep Guardiola reveals stance over Kevin De Bruyne’s Man City farewell
Predicted line-ups
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Gundogan; Foden, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
Early team news
Pep Guardiola did not guarantee that Kevin De Bruyne would start after playing in City’s defeat in the FA Cup final.
Mateo Kovacic is a doubt after picking up a knock but Rico Lewis could be recalled after dropping out of City’s squad. Rodri, John Stones and Nathan Ake remain out.
Bournemouth will be without Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, Enes Unal, Ryan Christie and Dango Ouattara.
How to watch
Manchester City will host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday 20 May with kick off at 8pm BST.
How can I watch the game?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage beginning at 7pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the game live online via the Sky Go app.
Good evening
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Manchester City vs Bournemouth, the final home game of a rather poor season for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Can they give Kevin de Bruyne a decent send-off, or will the Cherries simply compound their misery after defeat in the FA Cup final at the weekend?
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