Manchester City make it a sweet sixteen with Ilksy Gündogan as the man of the match

The German player was confirmed as January’s player of the month on Friday and has scored twice in the key win at Anfield last week. 

He fired his first goal through Hugo Lloris, who had a game to forget,  and then outdid Davinson Sanchez and a long pass forward from Ederson before tucking his second goal. Taking jis tally to nine goals in nine premier league games in 2021.

The only worry for Pep Guardiola, was that Gundogan limped off the field in the second half having clearly felt an itch in the groin. By then he had already put City in complete control over the struggling Spurs, who only threatened when Gareth Bale hit the woodwork with an early free kick and Gareth Bale tested Ederson.

Gündogan has done the most in maintaining this record breaking winning streak and establishing a seven point lead for the Blues.

For Jose Mourinho it was another sad and disappointing day, as Tottenham were largely limited to counter attacks with Tanguy Ndombele shooting at John Stones after one driving run before Kane gave Spurs the lead, after winning a free kick from Aymerick Laporte on the edge of the City box and then fired again at Ederson’s post.

City soon won a penalty when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg clumsily tumbled Gündogan to give away a penalty.

Sterling swapped passes with Phil Foden before slipping in the former Borussia Dortmund man who arrived and squeezed his shot under Lloris.

Again the Spurs skipper might have done better but his team now had a huge task against a team who had not conceded in their last six home matches.

City should have doubled their advantage moments before the interval when another Sanchez block led to Jesus hitting the bar but it didn’t take them long to make it two after the restart, with Raheem Sterling exchanging passes with Phil Foden before playing in Gundogan to drive his shot through Lloris on 50 minutes.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola said “We beat an exceptional team. They hit the post, in a situation which can change the game, and the last action from Gareth Bale, but they didn’t [create] anything else, so that is so good in terms of defensive commitment.

“And in terms of the way we were playing with the ball was really good, especially in the second half. Another victory, important against a good team, and we continue our good rhythm. We will see tomorrow [about Gundogan’s injury]. He said it was nothing, it was tight, but we will see tomorrow, day after tomorrow.”

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho said “A fresh team against a very tired team, but the team that started the game very, very well. We hit the post, 1-0 could give us that fuel that you need when you are tired like the boys were, and then one more of these modern penalties, I call them modern penalties, to put us in a difficult situation.

“But I’m very, very happy with the players’ attitude. I have guys on the pitch that played two hours a couple of days ago, they gave everything, of course we have guys in difficulty. Brave attitude, great dignity, of course losing 3-0, a team that is not united, not together, would give up and be punished. But I saw guys like Harry, like Pierre, like Ben, just a few names but there are five, six, seven.

“They give everything, so I have nothing to say against my players, not even a couple of defensive mistakes that are always present, but I cannot complain with the attitude of the boys.”

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho: “A fresh team against a very tired team, but the team that started the game very, very well. We hit the post, 1-0 could give us that fuel that you need when you are tired like the boys were, and then one more of these modern penalties, I call them modern penalties, to put us in a difficult situation.

“But I’m very, very happy with the players’ attitude. I have guys on the pitch that played two hours a couple of days ago, they gave everything, of course we have guys in difficulty. Brave attitude, great dignity, of course losing 3-0, a team that is not united, not together, would give up and be punished. But I saw guys like Harry, like Pierre, like Ben, just a few names but there are five, six, seven.

“They give everything, so I have nothing to say against my players, not even a couple of defensive mistakes that are always present, but I cannot complain with the attitude of the boys.”

City now go to Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday night, before going to Arsenal on Sunday.

Tottenham are now at Wolfsberger in the Europa League round of 32 first leg on Thursday, before going to West Ham on Sunday.