Manchester City 3 Bournemouth 1: City player ratings as City send De Bruyne off in style | OneFootball

Manchester City 3 (Omar Marmoush 14′, Bernardo Silva 38′, Nico 89′)

Bournemouth 1 (Daniel Jebbison 90+6′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City picked up a crucial 3-1 win over Bournemouth. The biggest story ahead of kick-off was that Rodri had finally returned to the Manchester City matchday squad. Kevin De Bruyne started his final home game for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola trusted his senior players to do the job for his team, and they duly obliged with a quality performance.

First half

The game kicked off with Kevin De Bruyne being serenaded by the Manchester City fans ahead of kick-off. Manchester City made a fast start to the game, but it was Bournemouth who would have the game’s first chance in the 3rd minute. A loose Ruben Dias pass played in Justin Kluivert, but his shot was easily dealt with by Ederson.

After several quality crosses from Bernardo Silva went unrewarded, Mateo Kovacic fired just wide from the edge of the area in the 7th minute. But there was a threat to City’s play and pressing that was evident early. Bournemouth keeper Kepa denied Matheus Nunes a minute later after the Portuguese international was played in by Kevin De Bruyne.

OMAR MARMOUSH SCORES A WORLDIE TO GIVE MANCHESTER CITY THE LEAD!!!!!

In the 14th minute, Omar Marmoush would fire Manchester City into the lead. The Egyptian international picked up the ball in an innocuous-looking position in midfield before unleashing a devastating strike into the top corner from 35 yards. The ball swerved into the top corner, leaving Bournemouth keeper Kepa no chance. It was a sublime strike and will go down as one of the goals of the season.

From that point on, Manchester City went up a gear. Erling Haaland was denied in the 21st minute with an acrobatic finish after a quality Kevin De Bruyne cross to the backpost. But his effort went straight at Kepa.

The moment the entire Etihad crowd was waiting for should have arrived in the 25th minute. A quality Omar Marmoush ball went across the Bournemouth penalty area and found Kevin De Bruyne unmarked at the backpost. But De Bruyne somehow hit the crossbar instead of hitting the back of the net.

Bournemouth would hit the post in the 33rd minute. Some fine play from Andoni Iraola’s side saw Marcus Tavernier play in a quality cross to Evanilson. The Brazilian striker’s sliding finish hit the post, and it was a warning to Pep Guardiola’s side of the threat Bournemouth posed.

BERNARDO SILVA MAKES IT 2-NIL AS CITY DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!!!!!

Manchester City would double their lead in the 38th minute. A great piece of determination and drive from Ilkay Gundogan got to a ball that appeared to be dead. He played in a quality ball from the right-hand side of the Bournemouth penalty, which found Bernardo Silva, who beat Kepa with ease. The goal and lead reflected Manchester City’s performance and gave them breathing space on the verge of halftime.

Manchester City would take a well-deserved 2-nil into the interval. City’s pressing was on point, and their play in possession carried a threat for the majority of the first half. Although it must be said that Bournemouth did carry a threat, the game was far from over.

Second half

The opening 15 minutes of the second half passed by with Bournemouth showing more intent to get forward. A stinging drive from Antoine Semenyo in the 56th minute, which flew over the bar from a good position, was their best chance to start the second half. Pep Guardiola’s side also had their moments, but some desperate defending from Bournemouth prevented City from making it 3-nil.

Mateo Kovacic sees red as the game takes a turn.

In the 67th minute, Bournemouth were given a lifeline. A misplaced pass from Josko Gvardiol played in Bournemouth striker Evanilson. Mateo Kovacic pulled down the Brazilian international and he was a straight red card for his challenge. Just as it appeared that Pep Guardiola’s side had the game in control, the red card picked up by Kovacic had the potential to change the game.

Kevin De Bruyne was replaced by Nico in the 69th minute. The substitution was necessary given the circumstances of the game, and De Bruyne received a well-earned standing ovation from the Manchester City fans. It was an understandable substitution, but it was a sad moment to see De Bruyne leave the Etihad for the final time.

In the 73rd minute, Lewis Cook was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Nico. Cook could have no complaints as it was a rash challenge from the Bournemouth midfielder. Both teams would play the game’s closing stages with ten men, as any advantage Bournemouth could have had trudged off the pitch with Lewis Cook.

Rodri made his long-awaited return to the pitch in the 83rd minute. He replaced Erling Haaland and was greeted with a hero’s welcome. It was a special moment to see Rodri return to the pitch after such a long injury layoff.

NICO PUTS THE GAME TO BED WITH A QUALITY STRIKE.

Nico would put the game to bed in the 89th minute. Matheus Nunes played in Nico, who still had plenty to do. The Spanish midfielder made a driving run with Ilkay Gundogan alongside him. Instead of squaring the ball to Gundogan, Nico beat Kepa with a sublime strike.

In the 96th minute, Daniel Jebbison would score a consolation goal for Bournemouth. An errant pass from Matheus Nunes played Jebbison in on goal. His finish squirmed under Ederson to make it 3-1 on the night.

That would be the last action of note, and as the final whistle blew, Pep Guardiola’s side had picked up the victory they desperately needed. The win sees them enter the final day of the Premier League season sitting third on points in the Premier League table, with a draw being enough on the final day for them to clinch Champions League football for next season.

Manchester City player ratings

Ederson-6/10: Didn’t have a lot to do in what could also have been his final home game for Manchester City.

Matheus Nunes-7/10: He played well and picked up an assist. But his poor pass did give Bournemouth a consolation goal late on.

Manuel Akanji-6.5/10: I thought Akanji did his job well on the night. Certainly better than his recent performances.

Ruben Dias-6.5/10: A workman like performance from Dias.

Josko Gvardiol-6.5/10: I thought he had a good game but it was his misplaced pass that led to Mateo Kovacic’s red card. That’s the area of his game he must work on over the summer.

Mateo Kovacic-7/10: I’d have given him an 8 or higher if not for the red card. Before that, he helped his team control the game in a quality performance.

Bernardo Silva-9/10: Manchester City’s man-of-the-match for me. Scored City’s second goal and was all over the pitch. A brilliant performance from Bernardo.

Ilkay Gundogan-8/10: I thought Gundogan was superb. Alongside Mateo Kovacic, he dominated the midfield. Got forward well and picked up an assist for Bernardo’s goal.

Kevin De Bruyne-7.5/10: Got around pitch well and showed everything he remains capable of. A good display from De Bruyne in his final game at the Etihad for Manchester City.

Omar Marmoush-8.5/10: His goal alone is almost worth a 10/10 rating. But besides that his performance was good, and if not for a couple of poor touches he could’ve had an even better game.

Erling Haaland-7/10: A much better performance from Haaland. He got around the pitch well, linked up play well and was a threat to the Bournemouth defence. Haaland just needs a goal for his confidence, but if he plays like that, they’ll come.

Substitutes

Nico-7.5/10: Came on, put himself about and scored a quality goal. He’s a number eight and will be crucial for Manchester City next season.

Rodri-N/A: It was a fantastic moment to see him back on the pitch. The fact he was back on the pitch was special enough, his performance outside of that wasn’t the story.

Jeremy Doku-N/A: Not on long enough to mark

Oscar Bobb-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Jack Grealish-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.