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MANCHESTER CITY AND AFC BOURNEMOUTH ENDED WITH TEN MEN EACH AS THE BLUES TOOK A BIG STEP TOWARDS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION 22:41, 20 May 2025 The Premier League has released a statement

explaining why AFC Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook was sent off during Manchester City's 3-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium. An emotional night for City as the club bid farewell to

Kevin De Bruyne was nearly overshadowed by a couple of sendings off in the second half. Pep Guardiola's side had a commanding 2-0 lead at the break thanks to Omar Marmoush's

brilliant strike and Bernardo Silva's clever finish. However, there were some nerves towards the end when Mateo Kovacic saw red for a tactical foul. Just six minutes later, the teams

were level in terms of players on the pitch as Cook was sent off for a tackle on Nico Gonzalez. While Cook pleaded his innocence, it appeared that no VAR review took place with referee David

Webb quick to get on with the game. But through the Premier League Match Centre X account, the division confirmed that review did take place. In a statement, they explained: "The

referee’s call of red card to Cook for serious foul play was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed to be high above the ankle and with excessive force." With the two

teams ending the game with ten men, the nerves subsided and City added the icing on the cake. January signing Gonzalez fired home the third for the Blues to wrap up the game and leave City

on the verge of Champions League qualification. After the final whistle, the club paid tribute to De Bruyne after his last appearance at the Etihad Stadium. Here at _The Manchester Evening

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