Pep Guardiola’s hopes of ending his time as Manchester City manager with a domestic treble are over after their 1-1 draw at Bournemouth handed the Premier League title to Arsenal.
After Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday, City head to the Vitality Stadium needing a win to send the title race into the final day of the season on Sunday.
But, a day after it was reported that Guardiola will leave the club at the end of the campaign, City have produced a performance below the standards set by their manager during a remarkable decade at the club.
Bournemouth took the opportunity to ensure they will play European football for the first time next season, with Junior Kroupi putting them ahead in the 39th minute.
Kroupi netted an incredible 13th goal of the season for the youngster, and, as a result, City’s attacking threat was sorely lacking, although they finally got a leveler in the final.
It came as Erling Haaland headed home after Rodri had hit the post, but it proved to be too little too late, with the trophy that looked out of reach after their win over Arsenal last month now set to be presented to the Gunners at Selhurst Park on Sunday, when Guardiola will bid farewell to the team with whom he won 17 major trophies for City as Aston Villa.
Bournemouth’s late concession leaves Champions League football now looking a long way off, with them three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and six goals in on goal difference. However, the draw confirmed they will be playing continental football next season, and their game against Guardiola’s men was a farewell home for Andoni Iraola before he left after their game at Nottingham Forest.
Bournemouth end Manchester City’s title hopes
City started well, with Jeremy Doku denied by Djordje Petrovic’s save and Bournemouth defender Antoine Semenyo seeing an effort cleared by the linesman’s flag, but the hosts took the lead in style.
Adrian Truffert was the creator as he burst down the left and picked out Kroupi on the edge of the area.
Kroupi still had a lot of work to do from then on, but the way he found the net was impressive, the 19-year-old bending past a helpless Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the top right-hand corner to break the record for most goals by a young player in his first Premier League season.
Only Newcastle United (3) have conceded fewer points than City (4) this season, and it’s rare that City look like they will make a difference in the second half, with Bournemouth seeing plenty of opportunities to double their lead.
Evanilson was fouled by Donnarumma seven minutes into the second half at the end of a neat Bournemouth move, before Kroupi was on fire for Brazil.
Rayan almost celebrated his inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad with a goal when he hit the post, his replacement David Brooks doing the same as he spurned two chances either side of Evanilson who went close again.
Bournemouth were eventually punished for bad behavior as Haaland bent over the goal after Rodri was denied by the woodwork, although that goal ended up being important in making the dreams of the Champions League champions very interesting.
