City had travelled to the South coast knowing only victory would suffice in our quest to keep the title race alive.
In what proved a high-quality affair Pep Guardiola’s side created more than our fair share of opportunities and also saw an Antoine Semenyo effort ruled out for offside.
However, a 39th minute goal from Junior Kroupi left City facing an uphill battle.
Erling Haaland dramatically struck deep into injury time to provide a glimmer of hope.
But time ran out as the Blues’ bid to secure what would have been a seventh title under Guardiola came to a close at the penultimate stage of the season.
The game in brief
Coming just 72 hours after the exertions of the FA Cup final, a Tuesday night trip to a Bournemouth side unbeaten in 16 Premier League games represented the toughest of tests.
But with a title challenge on the line and knowing only victory would suffice, Pep Guardiola’s men came out fired up from the off in what was a high calibre affair between two excellent sides.
The first opening came City’s way after just five minutes, Jeremy Doku drilling in a low shot which Cherries keeper Djordje Petrovic did well to gather.
Antoine Semenyo, back at his former club for the first time since his January move, then had the ball in the Bournemouth net on 13 minutes after latching onto a precision Erling Haaland but the Ghanaian was fractionally offside.
City though then breathed a sigh of relief when Evanilson somehow spooned a 16th minute shot over the bar from just six yards out from Tavernier’s inviting cross.
The Brazilian then somewhat atoned for that howler by putting his body on the line to block a goal bound Haaland drive from a Doku corner.
It was a tightly contested clash, but it was the hosts who struck first through Junior Kroupi on 39 minutes after a well worked counter-attack.
Tavernier put Truffert into space down the left flank, the full back pulled the ball back into the box and found Kroupi who turned before curling a well-executed shot past Donnarumma into the corner of the net.
It left the Blues requiring a huge response after the break and there was almost the perfect start when Haaland slid in Nico O’Reilly driving into the box only for Petrovic to produce a superb left-handed save to deny the England man.
There was a marked greater intensity to City’s work with Guardiola further upping the ante just before the hour by ushering on Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Savinho in an effort to inspire a response.
With City going all-out attack it meant there were inevitably gaps at the back and the Blues were thankful to see Rayan clip the outside of the post on 62 minutes following a scramble from a corner.
City kept pushing with Omar Mamroush also thrown into the fray to try and inspire a late fightback.
But the hosts demonstrated just why they had built up such a formidable record this year.
Bournemouth were also driven by the incentive of knowing a point would secure them European football next term for the first time in their history.
The Cherries almost doubled their lead as substitute David Brooks saw a 91st minute shot hit the foot of the post.
But the drama still wasn’t over.
With 90 seconds left, Rodri then hit the post before Haaland smacked home the rebound to set up a grandstand finish.
But it wasn’t to be with the point not enough to prevent Arsenal taking the title and preventing City adding to the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Teams
BOURNEMOUTH: Petrovic, Smith (C), Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Rayan (Brooks 85), Kroupi (Kluivert 76), Tavernier, Evanilson
Subs: Mandas, Cook, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Toth
CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodrigo, Kovacic (Foden 57), Bernardo (C) (Cherki 57), Semenyo (Savinho 57), Doku (Marmoush 76), Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Gvardiol
Pep’s verdict
A tough game, we knew it. We missed a bit of energy and their players up front have energy. We fought. First half was really good. We had the chance with Nico, the offside with Erling, how quick he did the offside. We got the goal but it was too late.
It is what it is. We put a lot of midfield players to have control and stop a transition game. The players gave everything all season and fighting in difficult circumstances until the end.
We were close. On behalf of Manchester City we congratulate Arsenal and Mikel and their fans. They deserve it.
Player verdict
To follow
What it means
City will now finish runners-up in the Premier League with Arsenal being crowned Premier League champions.
Congratulations to Mikel Arteta’s side.
What’s next
City now prepare for the Premier League finale at home to Aston Villa.
We welcome Unai Emery’s side to the Etihad on Sunday, May 24.
Kick-off is slated for 16.00 (UK).
News about B'mouth v Man City
Bournemouth 1-1 City: Match stats and reaction
