IF Ilkay Gundogan is going to leave Manchester City this summer he is determined to bow out in style.
The club captain is out of contract in the summer but is on a mission to lead them to a fifth title in the past six seasons.
Last week he got both goals in the win against Leeds before also missing a late penalty – and he was at it again at Goodison.
Gundogan struck two beauties – one each side of the interval – and also teed up Erling Haaland to nod in his 52nd goal of the season.
The Germany international waited until the final 14 minutes of the campaign to decide the title race 12 months ago with his two late goals against Aston Villa.
This year he is doing everything in his power to make sure the battle with Arsenal doesn’t go the distance.
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Pep Guardiola made four changes as he looks to juggle his option ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League return with Real Madrid.
And despite City having almost all the possession, Everton coped well with the champions for the opening 35 minutes and actually had the clearest chance.
James Tarkowski headed down a Dwight McNeil corner and Mason Holgate couldn’t wrap his foot around the loose ball at the back post.
City had been restricted to long-range efforts but then clicked into gear in devastating fashion during the final 10 minutes of the half.
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Riyad Mahrez swung over a cross from the right and Gundogan did well just to control it on his thigh – so what followed was truly special.
With his back to goal, he flicked a right-foot volley into the corner and beyond the despairing dive of Pickford.
The club captain – making his 300th appearance for the club – wasn’t finished there though and two minutes later he helped take the game further away from the Toffees.
Foden sent the German international away down the left and he hung up a delicious cross for Haaland to nod beyond Pickford.
It was only the Norwegian’s third touch of the game – but as is so often the case, he only needs one to make his mark.
It was his 52nd goal of the season – and this one at the home of the Toffees legend Dixie Dean – who scored a top flight record of 63 some 95 years ago.
For an Everton side who have scored more than one in a home game just once this season, it looked like a long way back.
When star striker Dominic Calvert Lewin failed to re-appear for the second half, it looked even an even bigger mountain to climb.
And within six minutes of the re-start, they knew the game was up as Foden was fouled on the edge of the box by James Garner.
City had options but it was the skipper who stepped up and floated a delightful 20-yard curler past Pickford.
Everton could have caved in but know goal difference could yet be decisive in their bid to beat the drop so kept at it.
They could even have pulled one back as Tarkowski’s header was pushed onto the bar by Ederson while Yerry Mina nodded another one over the bar.
Their battle to hang onto the top-flight status they have had since 1951 hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, City know five points from their final three Prem matches will be enough for a third straight crown.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
