City thrashes Bournemouth (3-1) and is close to winning the Champions League in Rodri's return

Manchester City thrashed Bournemouth 3-1 on Tuesday, the day Rodri returned after an eight-month absence and is close to qualifying for next season 's Champions League. A draw on the final day will be enough for Pep Guardiola's side to secure their place in the top continental competition, as in a hypothetical 69-all tie they have a better goal difference than Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.

A win against Fulham on Sunday will confirm the facelift of a dismal season, one that can only be turned around with a spot in the Champions League and perhaps a strong showing in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14.

Rodri will be playing in that tournament, having played his first minutes on Tuesday since that fateful September afternoon when he tore his cruciate ligament in a draw against Arsenal. The Spanish Ballon d'Or winner had been out for eight months and has returned just in time to lead his team to the Champions League and to lead them to the World Cup in the United States.

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Rodri, who played the last ten matches, was the second star of the night, behind Kevin De Bruyne in his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium. The Belgian player received his well-deserved tribute with a spectacular tifo and a dedicated stadium that will soon have a statue dedicated to him, like those of David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Sergio Agüero.

And to celebrate, the Etihad witnessed one of the best goals of the season. A rocket from Omar Marmoush from thirty yards out that went straight in through Kepa Arrizabalaga's corner. The Egyptian had done the hardest part: drag City out of the dull moment they're in.

De Bruyne was left wanting to score and missed a goal, sending the ball off the crossbar, while Evanilson responded with a shot off the post a few moments later.

De Bruyne received his well-deserved tribute with a spectacular tifo and a dedicated stadium will dedicate a statue to him.

That forgiveness from the Brazilian striker preceded Bernardo Silva's 2-0. Ilkay Gündogan, like a winger, brought Dean Huijsen to the byline and pinned him with a back pass that allowed Bernardo Silva to come in from deep and finish the Portuguese forward at the near post.

Despite the 2-0 lead, City found a way to make things difficult for themselves, a common trend this season, and Mateo Kovacic got himself sent off after grabbing Evanilson as he was running alone towards goal after a stray pass from Gvardiol.

However, City's leg woes were short-lived as Lewis Cook took down Nico González with a dangerous tackle and the referee sent him off.

Guardiola was able to breathe a sigh of relief, City sealed the victory with a stunning goal from Nico González in the 90th minute, and now it's all down to them. If they beat Fulham, they'll be in next season's Champions League.

For Bournemouth, who pulled one back in the final thirty seconds through Jebbison, this is definitive confirmation that they will not be going to Europe next year because they are already unable to reach eighth place.

File

Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gündogan (Doku, 92), Kovacic, De Bruyne (Nico, 69); Marmoush (Bobb, 91), Silva (Grealish, 92) and Haaland (Rodri, 82).

Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga; Araújo (Smith, 70), Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez (Soler, 83); Adams, Cook, Kluivert (Brooks, 46); Tavernier, Semenyo and Evanilson (Jebbison, 83).

Goals: 1-0 Marmoush (14), 2-0 Silva (38), 3-0 Nico (90), 3-1 Jebbison (96).

Referee: Thomas Bramall. Booked Ederson (71) for Manchester City and Huijsen (36), Araújo (44) and Nico (88) for Bournemouth. Sent off Kovacic (67) for City and Cook (74) for Bournemouth.

Matchday 37 of the Premier League played at the Etihad Stadium