Gundogan shines against Everton as City edge closer to glory

With such high stakes on the line for both Everton and Manchester City, it was perhaps little surprise to see such a tentative start.

For all City’s huff and puff, they created precious little in the opening half-hour, as you sensed with Kevin De Bruyne on the bench, Pep Guardiola’s side were looking somewhat out of sorts.

It was the hosts who created arguably the best chance of an abject first half when James Tarkowski’s header fell favourably for Mason Holgate, but his effort from inside the six-yard box flew harmlessly over the bar.

However, the Toffees learned the hard way that if you don’t take those chances against City, you get punished.

Out of absolutely nothing, the visitors grabbed the lead through İlkay Gündoğan, who took one touch to control Riyad Mahrez’s delivery before flicking a sumptuous effort beyond Jordan Pickford with his back to goal.

In the blink of an eye, the game was beyond Everton as  Pep Guardiola’s side doubled their advantage just two minutes later, and who else but Erling Haaland to get it?

The record-breaking forward headed home Gündoğan’s pinpoint delivery to notch his 52nd goal of the season in all competitions.

Gündoğan was having quite the afternoon in the final third, and he picked up in the second half exactly where he ended the first.

While you often see players shy away from 20-yard free kicks due to the tough nature of getting the ball up and down, the German stepped forward to curl home a stunner that left Pickford with no chance.

Everton’s attacking offerings were limited throughout, with most coming from corners, but when a golden opportunity arose for Tarkowski, his header could only reverberate the crossbar.

Having missed the opportunity for a hat-trick last weekend against Leeds United, Gündoğan will feel hard done by that he wasn’t given another chance for one this week from the spot after Pickford’s attempted punch missed the ball and landed on Haaland’s head, but VAR incredibly failed to intervene.

Such a baffling decision was immaterial though with the game sewn up, with City inching closer to another title, while Everton’s one-point cushion to the drop leaves them in an uncomfortable position with two games remaining.

Flashscore Man of the Match: İlkay Gündoğan (Manchester City)