Manchester Metropolis gave Kevin De Bruyne a victory in his ultimate look at Etihad Stadium, as Omar Marmoush scored a stunner in a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Tuesday that noticed them climb to 3rd within the desk.
The embellished membership captain known as his ultimate sport at Metropolis’s house floor “bizarre” after he helped the workforce to 16 trophies since becoming a member of in 2015 — a haul that features six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.
“[It feels] a bit bizarre. It has been an unbelievable trip,” De Bruyne mentioned after the match. “I need to convey pleasure to folks, play offensive soccer, inventive, that’s what I’m on the pitch and I need to have enjoyable. It was a pleasure working actually arduous and creating one thing for this membership. I am tremendous proud.”
The one factor lacking was a aim for the Belgian, who had a ridiculous first-half miss, hammering Omar Marmoush’s cross off the underside of the crossbar from shut vary after which holding his head in disbelief.
“It is horrible,” De Bruyne mentioned of the miss. “There is no excuses. My son goes to be very powerful on me right this moment.”
De Bruyne hugged his teammates when he was subbed off to a standing ovation within the 69th minute. Accompanied by his household, he was feted with a post-game guard of honour from the Metropolis gamers and employees because the followers chanted “Oh Kevin De Bruyne!”
“To have nearly a full stadium supporting my household and me says every part,” De Bruyne mentioned. “Who can have 50,000 folks ready so that you can say goodbye? It is indescribable.”
The membership introduced they’ll erect a statue of him outdoors the stadium.
“It means I’ll all the time be a part of this membership,” De Bruyne added.
Considered one of many league’s best ever midfielders, the Belgian was central to Metropolis’s success however has struggled with accidents in latest seasons. Nonetheless, the 33-year-old admitted to a “little bit [of shock]” that he was not provided a brand new contract by Metropolis, and has mentioned he believes he can nonetheless play within the Premier League.
Metropolis followers confirmed their appreciation by unfurling a huge “King Kev” banner. Numerous No. 17 shirts dotted the group and a few followers had their faces painted with “KDB.”
A post-game video tribute featured former Metropolis teammates together with Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Leroy Sane.
“Congratulations to your profession, it was an honour to play with you, I want you all the perfect my buddy, in fact you’re a legend at Manchester Metropolis. And me too. See you bro,” Aguero mentioned.
“Everybody was there, it was so, so good,” supervisor Pep Guardiola mentioned. “Ten years is a whole lot of video games, a whole lot of titles, a whole lot of moments. At this time summarised somewhat bit how a lot love was there.
“It is a unhappy day. He might be missed. On the opposite aspect, I believe it was a beautiful day for him to make once more a contribution to realize that victory that’s of huge significance.”
It was an enormous consequence for Metropolis on the sector because it put them on 68 factors with one sport remaining, two factors above Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa within the nervy chase for a top-five end and Champions League qualification.
Each side completed the sport with 10 males after Metropolis’s Mateo Kovacic was proven a pink card within the 67th minute for pulling again Evanilson when he was via on aim, adopted by Lewis Cook dinner for the guests within the 73rd for his reckless problem on Nico Gonzalez.
Metropolis have been on the entrance foot from the primary whistle and Marmoush scored within the 14th minute when he drifted ahead earlier than unleashing a scorcher from 30 yards out that dipped simply contained in the top-left nook.
Bernardo Silva doubled their lead within the thirty eighth when Ilkay Gündogan minimize the ball again for the Portuguese who slotted it in on the close to put up and Nico Gonzalez struck within the 89th with a run from deep earlier than whipping the ball previous goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Daniel Jebbison pulled one again for Bournemouth seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle when he pounced on a careless go to Rúben Dias earlier than slotting the ball via goalkeeper Éderson’s legs.
The guests had squandered a terrific likelihood to equalise on the break within the first half, however a stretching Evanilson hit Marcus Tavernier’s cross off the upright.
“The start of the sport, you might see immediately they began with a whole lot of depth,” Bournemouth supervisor Andoni Iraola mentioned. “They scored most likely one among their greatest objectives of the season and it value us.”
Metropolis midfielder Rodri noticed his first motion in eight months as a late substitute, getting into the sport to a standing ovation. The 2024 Ballon D’Or winner had not performed since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September.
Info from Reuters was used on this story.
