Manchester City are in prime position to qualify for the Champions League after a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday lifted them to third in the Premier League.
2024/2025 Premier League
3-1
Match Report
Both teams were reduced to 10 men at the Etihad Stadium, where Kevin De Bruyne made his final home appearance for City and Rodri made his long-awaited return from injury.
Omar Marmoush's stunner gave Pep Guardiola's side an early lead before De Bruyne squandered a golden chance, striking the crossbar from five yards out with the goal gaping.
Bernardo Silva doubled City's advantage before the break, though Mateo Kovacic's second-half red card threatened to derail City, who will no doubt have been hurting from their FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace last time out.
Yet Lewis Cook's challenge on Nico Gonzalez saw Bournemouth's numerical advantage cancelled out.
Nico subsequently made it 3-0, following Rodri's comeback from the bench, before Daniel Jebbison grabbed a consolation for the Cherries in stoppage time.
City now know a win against Fulham on Sunday would guarantee their place in the Champions League for next season, though a draw should be enough, given they have a much superior goal difference compared to Aston Villa, who are two points back in sixth.
846 - Since Opta have the metric on record (2003-04), no player has created more chances for their teammates in the Premier League than Kevin De Bruyne. Maestro. #MCIBOU pic.twitter.com/1MYEsFOWvT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 20, 2025
Data Debrief: De Bruyne bows out
While De Bruyne's final City appearance could come on Sunday, he got his chance to say goodbye, and though his glaring chance will surely haunt him, he was especially influential as the hosts started well.
De Bruyne created two chances, taking his overall total in the Premier League to 846. Since Opta have this metric on record (2003-04), no player has created more (Cesc Fabregas also registered 846).
Marmoush stole the show with his opener, which ended City's run of 54 shots without a goal in all competitions, since De Bruyne's strike against Wolves earlier this month.
It was a job well done for City, who rounded out with 1.6 expected goals from 12 attempts, while Bournemouth – who hit the post through Evanilson in the first half – were limited to 1.06 xG.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' De Bruyne's final home game for Man City, giant tifo at the Etihad
4' Justin Kluivert shot from the right side of the box is saved
7' Attempt missed. Kovacic's right footed shot from outside the box misses the goal
10' De Bruyne plays a through pass, Kepa rushes out to stop Núñez's shot
14' GOAL! Marmoush smashes a thunderbolt into the corner. Man City 1-0 Bournemouth
22' Erling Haaland's shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved
25' Kevin De Bruyne hits the woodwork with a left footed shot from very close range
32' Evanilson hits the right post with a right footed shot
39' GOAL! Silva fires a low shot! Man City 2-0 Bournemouth
45' Kluivert left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high
62' Rodri warms up on the sideline to a rousing ovation from the crowd
69' Red Card! Mateo Kovacic is shown the red card
70' In the Blues’ final home game, De Bruyne is substituted off
73' Red Card! Lewis Cook sent off
81' Omar Marmoush right footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick
82' WE ARE SO BACK! Rodri returns to action eight months on from his ACL injury!
89' GOAL! Nico González shot his Man City first goal. Man City 3-0 Bournemouth
Line-ups
Man City XI: Gundogan, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Ederson, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Akanji, Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Matheus Nunes, Gvardiol
Subs: Ortega, Ake, Grealish, Rodri, Foden, Nico González, Doku, Bobb, Nico O'Reilly
Bournemouth XI: Kepa, Lewis Cook, Adams, Marcus Tavernier, Kluivert, Evanilson, Antoine Semenyo, Julián Araujo, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen
Subs: Smith, Brooks, Marcos Senesi, Will Dennis, Daniel Jebbison, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Matai Akinmboni, Julio Soler, Ben Winterburn