De Bruyne celebrates with his teammates
De Bruyne celebrates with his teammates
Oh no, Kevin De Bruyne. All the stars aligned for the Manchester City legend to mark his final appearance at the Etihad with a goal and, from four yards out and no goalkeeper in sight, he hit the bar.
Fifty-five thousand jaws that have spent the last decade dropping in disbelief at De Bruyne's touch did so again, before hands went on heads. Nobody could believe the perfect ending had been squandered.
Try as De Bruyne might and try as his teammates did - and boy did they - nobody could engineer a chance in 90 minutes that allowed the departing great to go out with a goal. Or, for that matter, an assist.
This game was in many ways the story of the last two years for De Bruyne, nearly but not quite. He was still the beating heart of so much good play, only injuries have robbed him of superhuman ability to be outrageously productive in front of goal every three days.
In a stadium with everyone rooting for him though, the playmaker didn't need the final flourish. A man who has carried City through more challenges than anyone can remember over the last 10 years with his individual brilliance was instead helped out by his teammates.
First, and most positively, there was Omar Marmoush. The January signing has led the line in Erling Haaland's absence but hadn't scored since the league win over Crystal Palace back in April and missed the penalty in the cup final defeat.
He had already strayed needlessly offside to spoil one early chance when he picked up the ball 35 yards out from goal, took a few steps forward and then launched an unstoppable effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga and in off the post. That was enough to drop jaws for all the right reasons, and each time the goal was replayed on the big screen before the game kicked off again brought more oohs and aahs from the crowd.
For all the attacks City have tried and failed over the last fortnight against Southampton and Palace, everything can be much easier when somebody steps up and whacks it in from nowhere. De Bruyne specialised in long-range efforts and nobody has more this season in Europe's top five leagues than Marmoush with five.
That bodes well for City's future, but so too does the character. After a cup final in which they were lacking somebody to step up and do something like that, Marmoush has shown he is unfazed by setbacks and willing to step up and win matches for the team to offset what they are losing.
Bournemouth are almost on the beach, and while Evanilson hit the post from one good move they put together, the momentum stayed with City. When Ilkay Gundogan, putting in one of his best performances since he came back, controlled a loose ball in the box and then cutely played it back for Bernardo Silva to drill home before half-time that felt like the ball game.
Not for Pep Guardiola, who reacted furiously to some sloppy touches from his team after that and had a face like thunder as he walked down the tunnel at the break. And not for Bournemouth, who made a half-time change to try to get back into the game.
For all the manager's nerves, it never felt like a night that would slip out of City's control - not even when Mateo Kovacic was needlessly sent off with 25 minutes to go for pulling back Evanilson. Guardiola booted a box of water in anger and brought on Nico Gonzalez to end De Bruyne's night early, before bringing on Rodri to huge applause for his first appearance since a seemingly season-ending injury in September.
Up to third with two points more than the next three teams and a superior goal difference, one point at Fulham on Sunday will be enough even if Newcastle, Chelsea and Villa all win. In a season that blew City completely off course, they are almost back to where they need to be.
For De Bruyne, a humble yet proud man, that will matter. As will the ovation that he got all night from the crowd basking in everything he has done to brighten their lives and give them unforgettable memories.
Despite not scoring, this was De Bruyne's night, as it has been his decade at City and in English football. The Blues have to move forward, but they will do so with the platform built on trophies that De Bruyne has given them.