Manchester Metropolis gave Kevin De Bruyne a victory in his last 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 adorned membership captain referred to as his last recreation at Metropolis’s dwelling floor “bizarre” after he helped the staff 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 wish to carry pleasure to individuals, play offensive soccer, inventive, that’s what I’m on the pitch and I wish to have enjoyable. It was a pleasure working actually onerous and creating one thing for this membership. I am tremendous proud.”
The one factor lacking was a objective 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 now.”
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 all the pieces,” De Bruyne mentioned. “Who can have 50,000 individuals ready so that you can say goodbye? It is indescribable.”
The membership introduced they are going to 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 biggest ever midfielders, the Belgian was central to Metropolis’s success however has struggled with accidents in current 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 gang 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 good friend, 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 quite a lot of video games, quite a lot of titles, quite a lot of moments. Right now summarised slightly bit how a lot love was there.
“It is a unhappy day. He can be missed. On the opposite facet, I feel it was a stunning day for him to make once more a contribution to attain that victory that’s of large significance.”
It was a giant outcome for Metropolis on the sphere because it put them on 68 factors with one recreation 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 purple card within the 67th minute for pulling again Evanilson when he was by way of on objective, 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 reduce the ball again for the Portuguese who slotted it in on the close to publish 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 move to Rúben Dias earlier than slotting the ball by way of 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 right away they began with quite a lot of depth,” Bournemouth supervisor Andoni Iraola mentioned. “They scored in all probability one in all their finest objectives of the season and it value us.”
Metropolis midfielder Rodri noticed his first motion in eight months as a late substitute, coming into the sport to a standing ovation. The 2024 Ballon D’Or winner had not performed since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September.
Data from Reuters was used on this story.
