Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth Player Ratings: Ruthless Cityzens Storm Up To Premier League Top-3 By Thrashing Sloppy Cherries

Manchester City picked up a huge 3-1 win against Bournemouth in their final home game of the 2024/25 Premier League season at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. Pep Guardiola's side ran riot with two impressive goals in the first half, before Nico Gonzalez's goal sealed a big result for the 10-man Cityzens, despite Bournemouth scoring a late goal in stoppage time. The Manchester City vs Bournemouth Player Ratings show how the game unraveled.

The Cityzens began the game full of energy as they aimed to bounce back from the FA Cup final loss. But it was Bournemouth who had the first chance of the game in the 4th minute, when Justin Kluivert was sent through on goal and had an effort saved well. Mateo Kovacic almost scored a screamer three minutes later when his powerful attempt whisked past the post. Then in the 14th minute, Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with an incredible long-range shot from 40 yards out into the top corner to make it 1-0.

Kevin de Bruyne almost set up a chance for Erling Haaland in the 22nd minute, with the Norwegian's acrobatic effort being saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga. De Bruyne had a huge chance to score three minutes later, but somehow managed to divert an open goal chance into the bar. Evanilson had a big chance for Bournemouth in the 32nd minute after being played through on goal, but his effort rattled the post. Pep Guardiola made the visitors pay for that, as they capitalized on some sloppy defending, with Bernardo Silva producing a slick close-range finish to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute. They almost scored a third in the 45th minute as Ilkay Gundogan's powerful shot from outside the box was somehow saved by Kepa.

The Cityzens pushed for a third goal in the second half, as Matheus Nunes had a long-range attempt soar over the bar in the 51st minute. Antoine Semenyo managed to dribble into a central area in the 59th minute, only for his effort to go well over. Manchester City were then brought down to 10 men in the 67th minute when Mateo Kovacic saw a direct red card for stopping Evanilson from going through on goal.

Bournemouth, however, failed to capitalize on their man advantage. Lewis Cook was also sent off in the 73rd minute for a poor challenge on Nico Gonzalez, bringing the Cherries down to 10 men as well! Marmoush nearly scored his second in the 81st minute, swerving a free-kick attempt wide. Manchester City sealed the result in the 89th minute as Gonzalez was able to trick multiple defenders to score his first Premier League goal to make it 3-0. Bournemouth substitute Daniel Jebbison scored a late consolation by pouncing on a defensive error, but the hosts picked up a 3-1 win to move up to third place in the Premier League table heading into the final matchday. Here are our Manchester City vs Bournemouth Player Ratings.

Manchester City Player Ratings vs Bournemouth

GK - Ederson - 6/10

The Brazilian goalkeeper was alert and sharp in his goal. Made a few instinctive saves from close range to frustrate the visitors. Moved the ball forward really well with his accurate passes.

RB - Matheus Nunes - 6/10

Nunes was quite proactive and energetic on the right. Worked hard to neutralize Bournemouth's attacks, even though the visitors created a big chance by outwitting him in the first half. Regained possession many times and found out Nico well for his goal. Undid his good work with a poor backpass for the late goal.

CB - Ruben Dias - 5.5/10

Dias held together a pretty decent defensive line for his side. Was troubled by Evanilson's movement at times, but did well to keep him from dominating things in the final third by making some nice challenges. Lost a mark for Jebbison for his goal.

CB - Manuel Akanji - 7/10

Akanji had a bit of trouble dealing with Evanilson, letting him get through on goal to hit the post in the first half. Recovered well after that, making quite a few key possession recoveries.

LB - Josko Gvardiol - 6/10

The Croatian was alert and smart with his defending on the left side. He neutralized the majority of Bournemouth's attacks with his smart game-reading skills, winning quite a few duels and popping up in the right areas for crucial clearances. Made a poor pass leading to Kovacic's sending off.

CM - Mateo Kovacic - 5.5/10

Kovacic did a splendid job in helping his side control possession and move the ball forward impressively. He helped drive his side forward with smart passes and created some nice chances. Pressed the opponents well to win back the ball and grabbed a fortunate assist for Marmoush's goal. Undid all his impressive work by getting sent off for denying Evanilson from going through on goal.

CM - Ilkay Gundogan - 7.5/10

Gundogan was a menace with his forward runs and clever movement into the Bournemouth half. He moved the ball along really well, made some key recoveries, and almost scored a powerful goal in the first half. Produced a smart assist by picking out Bernardo for his goal.

AM - Kevin de Bruyne - 5/10

In his final game at the Etihad Stadium as a Manchester City player, De Bruyne had a bittersweet outing. He saw a lot of possession and created some decent chances with his clever delivery. But failed to bring out that spark and produced a horrible miss from close range.

RW - Bernardo Silva - 8/10

The Portuguese midfielder's smart movement and link-up play made him a tormenting factor for Bournemouth. He helped move the ball forward smartly and was able to superbly put a shot past Kepa for his goal.

LW - Omar Marmoush - 8.5/10

Marmoush was able to recover strongly after his poor FA Cup final outing. Popped up with a goal out of nowhere with an incredible goal from 40 yards out. He was a menace with his off-the-ball movement and also created some big chances, but couldn't get a reward for those.

CF - Erling Haaland - 6/10

Haaland was smart with his link-up play and tormented the centre-backs with his hold-up play too. Had an acrobatic effort easily saved in the first half by Kepa. Failed to get a proper goal chance.

SUB - Nico Gonzalez - 7.5/10

Raised his side's energy levels after coming on with his clever pressing and ball-winning ability. Got Cook sent off for a bad challenge on him and drove his side forward nicely. Capped off a brilliant substitute outing with a brilliant goal.

SUB - Rodri - 6/10

Made a return from a lengthy injury spell. Looked sharp with his movement and distribution in the substitute cameo.

SUB - Jeremy Doku -N/R

Doku produced some nice runs towards the end, but couldn't really create much.

SUB - Oscar Bobb - N/R

Looked exciting with his movement, but failed to create much.

SUB - Jack Grealish - N/R

Moved the ball along well in his late cameo.

Manager - Pep Guardiola - 7.5/10

Guardiola was able to re-motivate and recharge his players to produce an energetic and efficient display after the FA Cup final setback. His decision to overload the midfield and charge his full-backs forward worked splendidly to destabilize Bournemouth's shape. Fortunately, to see his side run riot in the first half and his smart game management helped them preserve the lead to get the win in the bag.

Bournemouth Player Ratings vs Manchester City

GK - Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6/10

The Chelsea loanee was quite sharp and reactive in his goal. He made a few excellent saves to deny the hosts, showing impressive reflexes. Moved the ball along nicely, but couldn't really do much for either of the first two goals. But his positioning for the third one was poor.

RB - Julian Araujo - 5.5/10

Araujo was a feisty figure on the right, winning some nice duels and making some key tackles. But his overaggressiveness and tendency to commit to challenges cost him at times, allowing the hosts to move through his half to create chances, and also getting him booked.

CB - Illia Zabarnyi - 6/10

Zabarnyi was actually quite alert against most of Man City's speedy attacking moves. He was caught in some awkward positions on a few occasions, but got better as the game progressed. Made a few nice clearances and did a good job at stopping Haaland at times.

CB - Dean Huijsen - 6/10

The Real Madrid-bound defender had an eventful outing at the Etihad Stadium. Could've perhaps done better to close down Marmoush for his goal, and outwitted for the second. He recovered strongly in the second half, making some key challenges as well as 11 clearances in the game.

LB - Milos Kerkez - 4.5/10

Kerkez was a shaky figure on the left, not really being able to stop the hosts' bursting movement on his side. Made a few recoveries, but struggled against Bernardo and made a poor, misplaced pass to spark the move for his goal.

CM - Tyler Adams - 5/10

Adams tried his best to hold things together in the midfield, but struggled to keep the hosts quiet. He couldn't really stop the majority of their attacks and struggled to really protect his backline, only winning a few duels.

CM - Lewis Cook - 3/10

The Bournemouth skipper had a rough outing at the Etihad Stadium. Failed to rally his troops, and his own positioning was questionable. Should've done better to close down Marmoush for his goal. Allowed Man City to repeatedly create chances through the central areas, and his horrible game ended with a red card for a bad challenge on Gonzalez.

AM - Justin Kluivert - 5/10

Kluivert had a big scoring chance early on, but his effort was easily denied. Fizzled out after that, having a few shooting attempts go astray and failing to complete even 10 passes. Taken off at half-time.

RW - James Tavernier - 5.5/10

Tavernier created a nice chance in the first half for Evanilson, but he withered away apart from that. Focused too often on defensive work and unable to create much threat.

LW - Antoine Semenyo - 5.5/10

Semenyo was not able to burst through on goal or create that much for his side. Moved around across both wings, but couldn't really come up with anything big. Had a shot go well over in the second half.

CF - Evanilson - 7/10

The Brazilian striker was a menace for the hosts with his smart movement and off-the-ball runs. He unfortunately saw a shot hit the post in the first half and got Kovacic sent off by smartly pouncing on a poor backpass.

SUB - David Brooks - 6/10

Brooks added a bit more energy to his side with his clever forward runs. Passed the ball around well, but couldn't really create much.

SUB - Adam Smith - 5/10

Smith wasn't really much of an upgrade over Araujo. Failed to do much to stop Man City's attacks through the left and couldn't create much. Outwitted by Gonzalez for his goal.

SUB - Julio Soler - 6/10

Showcased some nice movement on the left, but couldn't create much.

SUB - Daniel Jebbison - 7/10

Had a little cameo towards the end. Capitalized on the late defensive error to score a nice goal in stoppage time.

Manager - Andoni Iraola - 5/10

Iraola was unable to shape his side to get past Manchester City's high-press style or hold their own in the midfield battle. His side were not quick enough to trouble on counter-attacks and switched off at times, resulting in the hosts' goals.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Omar Marmoush.