Manchester City sealed a crucial 3-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth to move third, as Kevin De Bruyne bid an emotional farewell to the Etihad Stadium.
Omar Marmoush’s stunner, two red cards, and Rodri’s injury return added layers to a night of tactical battles and legacy-making moments.
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Marmoush’s Stunner and De Bruyne’s Miss
Inside 14 minutes, Omar Marmoush ignited the Etihad with a rifled 30-yard screamer that dipped inside the top corner, ending City’s 54-shot goalless drought.
The Egyptian winger’s strike set the tone, but the spotlight soon turned to Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian midfielder skewed a close-range volley onto the crossbar from Marmoush’s cutback, wasting a golden chance to mark his final home game with a goal.
City’s dominance continued. In the 38th minute, Ilkay Gündogan’s clever pull-back found Bernardo Silva, who slotted home at the near post to make it 2-0.
Bournemouth came close to responding before the break, with Evanilson’s stretching effort clipping the post from Marcus Tavernier’s cross.
Red Cards and Late Drama
The game erupted in the 67th minute when Mateo Kovacic was shown a straight red card for hauling down Evanilson on a clear break.
Bournemouth’s numerical advantage lasted just six minutes, though, as Lewis Cook was sent off for a reckless lunge on Nico Gonzalez, evening the sides at 10 men each.
Down to 10, City instead surged forward. Substitute Nico Gonzalez sealed the win in the 89th minute, racing onto Rodri’s long pass before coolly slotting past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Bournemouth grabbed a consolation through Daniel Jebbison in stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive error to fire past Éderson.
De Bruyne’s Farewell and Rodri’s Return
De Bruyne’s Etihad swansong was a mix of brilliance and heartache.
Despite his miss, he created two chances to take his Premier League total to 846—an all-time record.
Substituted in the 69th minute, he was met with a standing ovation, a guard of honor, and a promise of a statue outside the stadium. “It’s been an unbelievable ride,” he said. “To have the fans’ love… it’s indescribable.”
Rodri’s return after eight months out with an ACL injury added another emotional layer.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner entered to thunderous applause, marking his first action since September and signaling City’s resilience.
Highlight Moment: Kevin De Bruyne's final Etihad fixture | Man City 3-1 Bournemouth
Champions League Qualification
The win lifted City to 68 points, two clear of Newcastle and Chelsea, with a superior goal difference all but securing a top-five finish.
A draw at Fulham on Sunday will guarantee Champions League qualification, though Guardiola’s side will aim for a win to cap a turbulent season.
For Bournemouth, the loss ended European hopes, leaving them seventh.
Manager Andoni Iraola admitted: “City’s intensity in the first half was too much. They scored a goal of the season contender, and we couldn’t recover.”
This clash encapsulated football’s duality—emotional farewells, tactical twists, and decisive moments.
As De Bruyne’s era ends and Rodri’s comeback begins, City’s march toward Champions League qualification continues, ensuring this night will linger as a pivotal chapter in their storied history.
