Man City 3-1 Bournemouth LIVE updates – Reaction after City earn crucial three points in De Bruyne’s farewell game

A fascinating press conference from Guardiola on KDB’s departure and why he will quit Man City unless his squad size is reduced.

WATCH HERE:

Guardiola says he is choosing which players to leave out based on who best suits each opponent.

“It’s a headache. Yesterday I spent more than 45 minutes with six players, not one or two. Six players were at home. I don’t like that.”

“It’s a question of the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25 or 26 players when everybody is fit.

“If I have injuries then it’s unlucky. We have some players in the academy and we will do it.

“But we cannot do it to sustain the emotional soul of the team, to create another connection between each other. This season we lost it a little bit. The players week by week stay at home.

“You are a journalist right? Imagine you say you are not going to write articles? What do you say? What am I doing here?

“Players have to be here to fight to play. The right number. It was a lot of injuries. Unlucky. But we have to do it.”

Really strong stuff from Guardiola, who says he does not want another situation where he has to leave “five or six” players out of the squad next season.

“I said to the club I don’t want that. I don’t want five or six players in the tribune. I will quit. If you don’t make me a shorter squad, I will not stay.

“It’s impossible for my soul to give the players in the tribune, that cannot play.

“Now it happened because we added four players. There was maybe three or four months where we we could not select 11 players, we didn’t have defenders, it was so difficult.

“After the people came back, and next season it cannot be like that.

“As a manager, I cannot be training 24 players and every time I have to select four, five or six players to stay in Manchester at home because they cannot go to play.

“This is not going to happen. I said to the club I don’t want that.”

“It’s not about the goals and assists. It’s the connection with the way you play and year by year providing for this club.

“I’m pretty sure when Kevin arrived here he was not a Man City fan. I don’t know which team he supported but now I’m pretty sure he’s a Man City fan and will be forever because there’s a connection between all the people and him.”

Guardiola is asked if the ‘next De Bruyne’ is already at the club: “No, no one will be like Kevin. Like with Sergio (Aguero) for example.

“There are players that are unique, that can score the most important goal in the club’s history.

“It was so nice to see Leroy and Raheem and the disaster outfit from Riyad and many, many older players like Pablo and Joe Hart. Everyone was there. It was so, so nice.

“Ten years is a lot of games, a lot of titles, a lot of moments and today I saw how much love was there. It’s so, so nice.”

“Everybody saw how much they are connected, the people of Man City and him, his family, and how much love, that is nice.

“When you leave a place where you have been a decade, with this incredible love and respect and gratitude, there is nothing else better than that.

“I’m part of that. The club took the decision and I’m part of that. It’s a sad day. He will be missed, there’s no doubt about that.

“On the other side, I think it was a lovely day for him. He made an incredible contribution to achieve that victory that is massively important. Still we need the last step but it has been really, really nice.”

Kevin De Bruyne backs Man City to get back to their best during his farewell speech: “I know there’s been a bit of a tough year for us but I think the team deserves all the support from you guys. I know they’re pushing really hard and this team will be back next year pushing for all the titles, so they deserve this.”

Read more here: De Bruyne backs Guardiola to guide Man City back to their best as he bids farewell to supporters at Etihad Stadium

It has also been confirmed that De Bruyne will have a statue built of him.

A fitting tribute for one of City’s best ever players.

De Bruyne is presented with a framed shirt on the pitch and is shown a specially designed mosaic of him.

In his parting message to the fans, he says: “This team will be back next year fighting for titles.

“After ten years it was about time someone let me talk a bit! It’s time to say goodbye but I’ll be back.”

He then waves goodbye to the supporters as he leads the players off the pitch.

They have just shown a video for De Bruyne with messages from many of his former team-mates including Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and many, many others.

De Bruyne is holding back the tears as he speaks to the crowd. Pep Guardiola is also tearful listening to the man who has been so instrumental in the success the Spaniard has achieved at the club.

A special post-match presentation to say goodbye to De Bruyne is just getting started.

The main man is out on the pitch with his family and will speak to the crowd.

Kevin De Bruyne is a bit lost for words speaking to Sky Sports after his final game at the Etihad Stadium: “A bit weird. I don’t know. It’s been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I’ve had over here. It’s been an unbelievable ride, an absolute pleasure.”

City bounce-back from their FA Cup final defeat in great fashion and earn a massive three points.

The Blues head into the final day in third place and will look to secure Champions League qualification away against Fulham.

Bournemouth get one back but it is too little too late.

Daniel Jebbison gets on the score sheet but it will just be a consolation.

Omar Marmoush, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva come off.

Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are on for the final moments.

Omar Marmoush, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva come off.

Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are on for the final moments.

Nico Gonzalez produces a great finish to net his first Premier League goal.

That is the game well and truly over.

Bournemouth’s Tavernier is the latest player to be booked.

He kicks the ball away and is shown a yellow.

Evanilson and Milos Kerkez are off.

Daniel Jebbison and Julio Soler are on.

Rodri is back on the pitch!

The Ballon D’Or winner replaces Erling Haaland.

Rodri is ready to come on shortly.

Another red card but this time it is for Bournemouth and both sides are reduced to ten men.

Lewis Cook gets it all wrong as he goes in strong and high on Nico Gonzalez but completely misses the ball. The Bournemouth man is shown the red card.

De Bruyne’s farewell is over as the entire stadium applauds him off the field.

The Belgian makes way for Nico Gonzalez as Guardiola looks to sure things up now City are down to ten men.

City were absolutely cruising but they went to sleep for a second and the game has changed instantly.

A sloppy touch allows Evanilson to break away. Kovacic pulls hims down on the halfway line and is shown a red card for being the last man.