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By HARRY BAMFORTH and JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD and KIERAN GILL AT SELHURST PARK Published: 03: 05 AEST, 21 May 2025 | Updated: 05: 58 AEST, 21 May 2025 37 View comments Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Manchester City welcome Bournemouth to the Eithad plus updates from Crystal Palace vs Wolves in the Premier League. Micah Richards, former Manchester City defender, on Sky Sports: We simply have to watch this goal back. When he picked up the ball in all that space, you could just tell that he was going to hit it. And my word, did he hit it? ! Just look at the swazz (yes, that's a word) on that ball; he couldn't have smacked it any better. I could watch this for hours. What a half of football! Crystal palace really are riding that wave of their FA Cup victory, and the atmosphere is only getting better. Wolves are playing their part too; they could easily be level here, but they just haven't taken their chances. Let's hope for more action like this after the break. It's all going to plan for Manchester City. Two goals to the good, and the Champions League surely beckons now for Pep Guardiola's men. Bournemouth have had their chances, but they have been few and far between. City are bossing this. Another 45 minutes like that, and City are in pole position to finish third. There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time here at the Etihad. However, it seems as though most fans have already gone to fetch their pie and a pint. What are you moaning about? Julian Araujo is incensed after receiving a yellow card, but I'm really not sure why. He produces a really poor challenge on Josko Gvardiol, it's a clear booking. From the resulting free-kick, Kepa Arrizabalaga makes a brilliant stop to deny Mateo Kovacic. I mean, a really good save. Erm. .. is that really Erling Haaland? I'm not sure what has happened to the great striker; he has started becoming less selfish. That's not a good thing. .. At the weekend, he gave up a penalty to Omar Marmoush, and now he is trying to pass to Kevin De Bruyne in the box, rather than shoot. It doesn't work, obviously. Stick to what you know, Erling! That is a massive goal for Manchester City! Five minutes ago, this game was nearly level, but now the hosts have a two-goal cushion. Bournemouth fail to clear their lines at the back, Ilkay Gundogan pounces, pulls the ball back for Bernardo Silva, and he drills the ball low into the net at the near post. Just how big will that goal prove to be? Why did Marcus Tavernier shoot there? ?? Ederson gets his goal kick all wrong, and it goes straight to Tavernier, who has loads of options around him in the box. But from 25 yards out, he has a pop, and Ruben Dias is there to block the effort. Poor decision-making, there. Meanwhile, Dean Huisen also has a brain fart and picks up a booking for stopping a counter. Eddie Nketiah at the double! It's two goals inside six minutes for the former Arsenal man, and he has single-handedly turned this game around for Crystal Palace. Ismail Sarr produces a lovely low cross into the area, and Nketiah was never going to miss. The party rages on. Bournemouth should be level! The Etihad is in a state of shock yet again, this time because the post of their own goal has been rattled. Marcus Tavernier bends a beautiful cross into the box, and Evanilson manages to stretch and reach the ball. But his sliding effort smashes against the upright. Chris Sutton is right, this place has gone silent. I mean, I am still in shock. The ball did bobble to Kevin De Bruyne a bit, but not enough to put him off like that. It would have been the perfect way to mark his last home game - I'm not sure how he missed that. I reckon even I would have scored. Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on Sky Sports: The FA Cup winners are level in no time! No Jean-Philippe Mateta, no problem. .. Crystal Palace have Eddie Nketiah, and he provides the instant response. Romain Esse pulls the ball back for the striker, and he drills it low and hard into the net. Selhurt Park's party restarts; not that it ever stopped. NO WAY. .. there is just no way! That may just be the biggest miss of Kevin De Bruyne's whole career, I'm not kidding. The ball is squared to him four yards out, and he has the whole net at his mercy with Kepa Arrizabalaga out of the picture. Somehow. .. he smashes the ball against the bar. He is stunned. Pep Guardiola is stunned, the Etihad is stunned. .. everyone IS stunned. That is worse than the 2017 sitter against Chelsea. Wolves take the lead! The visitors spoil the Palace party at Swelhurst Park, and it's Emmanuel Agbadou who is doing the spoiling. It's chaos in the Palace box following a corner, and they can't clear the ball. Eventually, the ball pops up to Agbadou at the back post and he heads home. Why is Erling Haaland not heading that? ?? Kevin De Bruyne looks as though he is about to mark his final home game with an assist. He stands the ball up to the back post where Haaland is storming in, and you just expect him to nod home. But no. .. this is Haaland we are talking about. He does his usual acrobatic attempt, somehow getting his leg up to head height, but it gives Kepa Arrizabalaga a chance to save, which he does. Here we go. Every time Omar Marmoush picks up the ball now, the crowd urge him to shoot. Yes, even if he is 45 yards out. I mean, after that stunner, I bet he feels like he could have a crack from most distances. Now, that is a zinger from Ben Chilwell. I forgot how well the full-back could hit a ball. .. I mean, he hardly plays any footie. Well, he is playing tonight and hits a stormer into the gloves of Daniel Bentley, who spills the ball. But luckily for him, he eventually gathers. Now, I've just had a right giggle. As I was explaining the goal to you all, the Manchester City fans were watching replays of it on the big screen. Every time it was shown, there was a huge 'ooooh' from the stands. That's how filthy of a finish it was. Many will watch that on repeat this evening - most definitely in the Marmoush household. And even in the Bamforth one, too. .. WOW. WOW. WOW. Omar Marmoush, you have no right scoring that. It's a moment of magic from Manchester City's Egyptian Prince. He picks up the ball 30 yards out with nobody around him, so he just thinks, 'why not? ' and has a pop. And my word, what a pop it is. The ball swerves and dips and ends up in the back of the net. An absolute crackerjack of a finish, jeeeez. This is an atmosphere I will remember for a long time. When I said that Selhurst Park was in party mode, I really meant it. The fans are currently chanting, 'We're all going on a European Tour. ' Whatever happens on the pitch, the celebration mode will stay switched on. Oh, Kevin De Bruyne. .. We are watching the Belgian at his very best, he is puuutting on a passing clinic in his final game at the Etihad. I mean, what else would you expect? He manages to slide Matheus Nunes in with a pass that only he could see, which brings an 'oooooo' from the crowd. Nunes doesn't provide the finish it deserves, mind. Oooooft. .. Mateo Kovacic comes within a whisker of arrowing Manchester City in front. The ball comes out to the Croatian 25 yards out, but he slips as he cocks his leg to pull the trigger. Despite that, he still manages to drill a shot toward the bottom corner, and it flies just wide. Decent effort. My word, this is like a basketball match. Both sides have given up on defending tonight, and it's full attack mode for the pair of them. It's so end-to-end that I am struggling to keep up, but the final ball from both sides has been poor. An entertaining watch, thus far. Ohhh. .. that is a really good chance. Bournemouth seem to be getting a lot of space to gallop into; the Man City defence is all over the place. Justin Kluivert finds his way through, gets past the last man, but loses his balance, and his effort is comfortably saved by Ederson. For a second, I thought he was going to go down and get a penalty. Is it just me, or is the Etihad quite empty? There seems to be pockets of empty seats all the way around the ground, which is a real shame. Let's just hope it's because of traffic in Manchester. .. To the City fans' credit, they are still generating a decent atmosphere despite the emptiness. And we're off! Both of our feature games tonight are underway, and the atmosphere's at both are simply brilliant. Let's hope the football is too. .. Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport: Right guys, it's time to get excited. We have just over five minutes until the final two penultimate games of the season. This really is the home stretch now, and I have the same look on my save as Kev here. Sorry, Kevin De Bruyne. .. we aren't friends. I have a feeling we are all going to enjoy tonight, I can feel it. Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth boss, speaking to Sky Sports: On Kevin De Bruyne's last home game: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking to Sky Sports: Reckon the City fans love Kevin De Bruyne, by any chance? I mean, everywhere you look, there is a fan donning his name on the back, and there are plenty of banners about. With everything that has been happening between Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Liverpool fans, I forgot that send-offs could still be like this. It's lovely to see. The atmosphere inside Selhurst Park tonight is going to be cracking. Fans are already flocking outside the stadium, and the mood is very celebratory. I know. .. shocking, right? These fans are ready to party. In fact, they ahven't stopped since Saturday and this is just a continuation. What a time to be an Eagle. I'm looking forward to seeing Daniel Munoz again tonight. The Crystal Palace man is the definition of a baller. In my book, he has been the best right-back in the league this season. He proved that in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, he was my Man of the Match even over Dean Henderson. Yep, he was that good. Munoz has been directly involved in nine goals for Crystal Palace in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 5 assists), assisting their opener against Tottenham last time out. No Eagles defender has ever reached double figures for goal involvements in a single campaign in the competition. Can he be the first? Jamie Redknapp, former Bournemouth midfielder, on Sky Sports: Wow, would you look at this. I told you he was King Kev, didn't I? So anybody that had a pop at me saying it, well, you look silly now, huh? Sorry, got carried away there. Anyway, this is a touch of class from City. I knew there would be a big send-off, but this is another level. I doubt Trent Slexander-Arnold will have this at Anfield on Sunday. .. Alexa, play 'Without Me' by Eminem. Guess who's back, back again. .. Shady's back, tell a friend. Guess who's back, guess who's back? Guess who's back, guess who's back? Du du du. .. . Yep, you get the just. I you don't know that song, then I suggest you head right to Spotify and listen to it. A hip hop classic. Top tune. But why am I writing the lyrics down? Well, tonight, Manchester City's midfield maestro returns to action for the first time since September. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri's absence has been a massive factor in why City have fallen off this season, and many thought we wouldn't see him again this season. But tonight he returns to the bench, and we may just see him play. Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport: I am so glad Pep Guardiola has decided to start Kevin De Bruyne. He really was just pulling our legs yesterday; he was never going to drop him for his final Etihad match. I mean, fair play, Pep. This mural shows exactly why De Bruyne deserves the perfect send-off this evening. Just look at how much he has won with the club. A City legend! Ohhh, Oliver Glasner is going strong. .. well, reasonably. While he makes six changes to the FA Cup-winning side, he does keep a lot of the core in it. There is no Eberechi Eze, mind, the coolest man in footie drops to the bench for this one. Joel Ward does start, however, in what is his last game at Selhurst Park after 13 years of service. Meanwhile, Wolves make six changes too. Now that's what we want to see! Kevin De Bruyne does indeed start his final game as a Manchester City player at the Etihad. He is one of seven players who have kept their spot from the FA Cup final, with Ederson, Mateo Kovacic, Mateus Nunes, and Ilkay Gundogan coming in. And the big news. .. Rodri is back in the City squad! Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen starts for Bournemouth for the first time since his move to Real Madrid was confirmed. City target Milos Kerkez starts, as well. It's not quite certain Kevin De Bruyne will start tonight. I know, I know, it sounds mental, but we all know what Pep Guardiola is like, don't we? The Spaniard is not just going to roll out the red carpet for De Bruyne tonight because it his his last at the Etihad, he is more focused on the task at hand. With that in mind, De Bruyne might just have to watch from the bench. Well, based on Guardiola's comments yesterday, it sounds like that is a possibility. He said: 'What Kevin wants is that we win the game to qualify for the Champions League next season. That is what Kevin wants. It cannot be otherwise. 'I'm going to decide the best so that we can have the best chance to win the game against Bournemouth. Team news comes out in a few minutes. .. will De Bruyne be in the starting XI? We will have to wait and see. A lot of tonight is going to be about Kevin De Bruyne, so be prepared. The Belgian has dominated the Premier League for a decade; it has truly been a pleasure to watch him rip it to shreds. He joined Manchester City when I was only 15 years old, long before a career in journalism was even on my mind. Yep, that's how long he has been there. In his 10 years, he has become the King of Manchester City, and my colleague Jack Gaughan has written a superb piece on how much he means to the club. You simply must read it, trust me. Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis from inside the Manchester City camp No, I am not talking about Kevin Keegan. I know he may have been King Kev to many a Liverpool and Newcastle fan, but there is a modern-day version who is relinquishing his crown tonight. That's right, it's time for Kevin De Bruyne to bid farewell to a stadium that he has called home for the last decade. It's going to be one hell of an emotional night. If he plays tonight, this will be his 142nd, and final league appearance at the Etihad Stadium, with only David Silva (160) playing more at the ground in the top-flight. There have been so many memorable moments from his time in that ground. There was THAT pass against Stoke City, yep, you know the one, and his belter against then title rivals Arsenal in 2023. Those are just two moments that define just how special a player De Bruyne has been in City blue. Arguably one of, if not the, best midfielders in the Premier League era. It's going to be one hell of a send off. . Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace boss, speaking on Monday: How do you celebrate your first-ever major trophy? Well, apparently it's with a nothing Premier League match with Wolves. .. if you're Crystal Palace anyway. On Saturday, the Eagles made history by beating Manchester City. The outpouring of emotion inside Wembley that evening was palpable - it meant everything to those Palace fans. I'm pretty sure most of the supporters would describe it as the best day of their lives, and the celebrations over the weekend will have been heavy, very heavy. So, I'm not sure the fans, staff, or even players are ready for another match. If they are, then the celebrations can't have been that good, eh? I suspect we may see a similar performance to the ones that Liverpool have been putting on in the last few weeks. The fans will also be similar too, it will be a party at Selhurst Park tonight. This is a nothing game as Wolves also have nothing to play for, so it will either be a goal-fest, or we will need to stop ourselves from falling asleep. I hope it is the former. Pep Guardiola, Man City boss, speaking on Monday: By Harry Bamforth What now for Manchester City, then? It's a big question, but it has a simple answer. Nope, they shouldn't start thinking ahead to next season just yet; they still have a job to do. Their defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final was yet another dagger to the heart in what has been a horrendous season for them. I would say nobody saw it coming, but I don't think that's strictly true. If you didn't believe it was the end of an era for this City side before the weekend, surely you do now. The game perfectly encapsulated City's campaign. However, while fans may just want this season to end now, they still have two massive games to go. The City players just have to get the loss out of their heads. Pep Guardiola's side are still embroiled in a tense battle for the top five spots. I mean, just one point separates them, and Nottingham Forest in sixth and seventh, and Newcastle in third. Yep, it's tight. Tonight is a must-win for City if they want to keep their destiny in their hands. Lose, though, and they may just end the season outside the Champions League places for the first time in 15 years. They need to bounce back. Do you really need this menu? No. Am I going to give you it anyway? Of course. This is the final batch of midweek matches we will get in the Premier League this season, and it's all because of the FA Cup. So, thanks to that stunning piece of silverware that Crystal Palace have just won, we get to watch more footie. Anyway, here is tonight's schedule: Guys, the finish line is in sight. I can't believe that we are nearly at the end of the Premier League season; I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be over yet. It's not like we have a stacked summer of football to look forward to. After tonight, there will be just one more matchday for us all to enjoy. But let's not get two down yet, we still have two matches on the menu tonight before we need to start thinking about Sunday. Manchester City may still be licking their wounds from their FA Cup final defeat at the weekend, but now they have to get over that and get back on the horse. Pep Guardiola's men take on Bournemouth at the Etihad as they continue to fight for a place in the Champions League next season. They simply can't afford to lose. Meanwhile, I imagine Crystal Palace's players' heads are still pounding from the partying they have been doing over the last few days. After their FA Cup triumph, playing a league match will be the last thing they want to do. Well, they don't have a choice. Palace take on Wolves in arguably one of the most dead rubber matches possible. Still, it could be fun. Now, let's get this show on the road. We’ ll miss you Kevin!

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