The Etihad witnessed an emotional farewell as Manchester City secured a 3–1 victory against Bournemouth, marking a symbolic sendoff for one of their greatest-ever midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne. The match was packed with drama, individual brilliance, and statistical milestones. From red cards to record-breaking assists, this fixture had it all, perfectly wrapping up City’s final home game of the season.
Let’s dive into the top moments, stats, and consequences of this riveting Premier League clash.
De Bruyne’s Final Etihad Bow Ends in Victory
The story of the night centered on Kevin De Bruyne, a midfield maestro whose legacy at Manchester City is unquestionable. In his final home appearance, De Bruyne delivered two more chances, taking his Premier League assist tally to 846, tying Cesc Fàbregas for the most ever since records began in 2003–04.
👏 What a way to say goodbye!
First Half Dominance: City Cruise Early
Man City came out firing. Goals from De Bruyne and Marmoush gave them a 2–0 lead at halftime, backed by 1.60 xG — clear proof of their attacking superiority.
City dominated the ball and carved open Bournemouth at will. Their press, fluid passing, and tactical sharpness were on full display, with Pep Guardiola’s side eager to wrap up their home season in style.
Double Red Drama: Chaos in the Second Half
Just as things seemed routine, the second half introduced unexpected chaos:
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Kovačić was shown a straight red card for a pull-back on Evanilson.
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Moments later, Bournemouth’s Cook was also sent off for a reckless tackle on Gonzalez.
That left both teams with 10 men, and the game opened up.
A rare sight: Double red cards in under 10 minutes!
Gonzalez Seals the Deal
City’s third came from the lively Gonzalez, who curled home a beautiful finish to make it 3–0, rubber-stamping City’s dominance and securing the win.
Notably, it was Gonzalez’s first Premier League goal, and what a time to get it — under pressure, in a farewell match, with European implications looming.
Bournemouth’s Late Consolation: Jebbison Strikes
While Bournemouth looked disjointed early on, they improved in the second half. Despite missing key chances — including one from Semenyo — they finally got a goal in added time, thanks to Daniel Jebbison.
This goal was Bournemouth’s 13th of the season, scored by a substitute, placing them only behind Fulham (17) in this metric.
Super-sub impact: A shining stat for Bournemouth despite defeat.
City’s Home Dominance Continues
This win marked Man City’s eighth straight Premier League home win against Bournemouth — a perfect record. Only Arsenal (10/10 against Stoke) has a better 100% home win rate against a single opponent.
Etihad = Fortress
Champions League Secured, Pressure Lifted
This win lifted City to third in the Premier League table, confirming their Champions League qualification for next season. More importantly, it eased pressure on Pep Guardiola, who had come under scrutiny after recent setbacks.
On the other hand, Bournemouth’s defeat ended their hopes of European football, ensuring they’ll sit out continental competitions next season.