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:
Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye
Speaking about the mosaic unveiled of him at the City Football Academy, De Bruyne says, “It means I will always be part of this club. I always represent a small piece of that and whenever I come back with these guys and with family and friends I will be able to see myself standing around the stadium. I will always be here.
“I think the best way to describe my life with my wife and my three kids is we've fit in perfectly. We understand where the club has come to and why the club means a lot to a lot of people. Together we've built a big future for you guys, for the club to perform the way this club will perform.
“I know there's been a bit of a tough year for us but I think the team deserves all the support from you guys. I know they're pushing really hard and this team will be back next year pushing for all the titles, so they deserve this.
“I think after 10 years it was about time somebody let me talk a bit and it's time to say goodbye. I will be back. We love you and see you soon.”
Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye
“Manchester is home, Manchester is where these little kids were born. I came here with my wife, Michelle, to stay for a long time, didn't expect to be here 10 years. To do what we've done as a club, supporters, teammates we've won everything. We made the city, the club bigger and now they're going to take over.
“I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion. I wanted to enjoy football and I hope everyone enjoyed it. Everybody has pushed me so hard inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself and these guys, everybody we see on the screen and these guys in front of me have made me better than I was before. It's an honour to play with these guys. I've made so many friends for life. We'll be back for sure soon.
“This team tries to entertain people and win. This team works incredibly hard everybody behind the scenes and on the pitch. This team will win in the future, with or without me, and everybody in the city, the supporters, will be behind the team like they've done with me for the last 10 years. This team will have success that's for sure.
“You just want to do well and win and then when you win you want to win more. You want to push the city and we've had five/six parades and that's been incredible to witness everything that goes around in the city. All the moments with these teammates there's been too many to count. It's been a pleasure.”
One last Etihad appearance for KDB
A statue for King Kev
It’s announced that De Bruyne will be getting a statue outside the Etihad, while a mural has also been painted onto a wall in the city’s Northern Quarter.
De Bruyne’s family have also recorded a sweet video tribute to him.
“It’s sad to say goodbye but I’ll be back,” he finishes before taking a lap of honour. “We love you and see you soon.”
De Bruyne: I want to be remembered with 'joy'
Guardiola sheds a tear as De Bruyne steps up to speak.
The crowd cheers each City hero in turn as a host of players crop up on a pre-recorded video tribute to share their appreciation for him: Pablo Zabaleta - who’s in the crowd tonight - Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane, Aymeric Laporte, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Riyad Mahrez.
The Belgian says he wants to be remembered with “joy” as says the club will continue to win, with or without him.
Kevin De Bruyne says farewell
Scenes of jubilation on the pitch as De Bruyne thinks he’s heading down the tunnel but is ambushed by teammates, who lift him aloft - and nearly drop him!
Rodri gives one of his sons a hug and the little ones celebrate with the team too.
De Bruyne giving himself no breaks
Kevin De Bruyne missed a sitter tonight. You’d think on this sort of occasion, he’d be excused. He won’t allow it, however.
“It's terrible,” he said. “There's no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today."
De Bruyne: "It's been an unbelievable ride"
"Its been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I've had over here,” De Bruyne said. “It's been an unbelievable ride, an absolute pleasure.”
"I want to bring joy to people, play offensive football, creative, that is what I am on the pitch and I want to have fun. I think we had a lot of fun over the 10 years.
“You win, you lose sometimes. It was a joy working really hard and creating something for this club which brought the club much better than it was before. I'm super proud."
Kevin De Bruyne sendoff
Not a single Man City fan has left their seat for Kevin De Bruyne’s sendoff. Because of course they haven’t.
One of the greatest midfielders to grace the Premier League. We will be sad to see him go.
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