Match Report & Player Ratings: Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City (Premier League)

In what will be emotional scenes for City fans, not only did this draw hand Mikel Arteta ’s side the trophy they have reaped for decades, it could strongly suggest that Guardiola is just one game away from walking away from east Manchester. Reports spread like wildfire on Monday evening claiming Guardiola has already decided to leave the Etihad club at the end of this campaign, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca his supposed successor. Ahead of kick-off, the Catalan himself wasn’t asked directly whether the rumours around his supposed exit at the end of the season are true but he did make it known that said reports hadn’t compromised City’s preparation for this game.

And when Antoine Semenyo , returning to the Vitality Stadium for the first time since his £65 million move, slotted an effort beyond Djordje Petrovic it seemed that his verdict was accurate despite the goal being disallowed for offside. Amidst that attack in the 12th minute came plenty more threat from the Citizens, where Jeremy Doku was unfortunate to not record his ninth goal of the season after shooting low with his left foot from 18 yards. On 28 minutes, a scramble inside the penalty area from a corner resulted in Rodri heading close before Erling Haaland fired at the near post, but Evanilson was there to block before the game was flipped on its head.

Junior Kroupi , who City have frequently shown interest in ahead of the summer transfer window, was first to a Adrien Truffert cross before taking one touch and bending the ball spectacularly around Gianluigi Donnarumma . It was the moment that silenced an away end that was earlier singing “one more year, one more year, Guardiola,” yet those wishes seemed to be getting less tenable by the hour. In the second half, as it was against Chelsea just days ago, a quick start generated an immediate threat and when Haaland slipped Nico O’Reilly through after 46 minutes, hopes were up before Petrovic denied the star with a strong right hand from close.

Then the momentum shifted. Bournemouth , chasing European football, had three opportunities inside 10 minutes in a second half that was pregnant with goals when Evanilson was denied by Donnarumma, Kroupi shot high from the edge of the area and then Rayan hit the post. City regained some shape and fought until the very end, but the dream died and so did the hope in many of City fans’ hearts, including Noel Gallagher , who left five minutes before the end of regulation time – missing Haaland’s equaliser and that demoralising full-time whistle.