SANE COOLS PEP’S RAGE

Leroy hits a double but Gundogan is crocked

LEROY SANE’S double continued Manchester City’s fine start to the season but Pep Guardiola was furious that Ilkay Gundogan was crocked.

German youngster Sane struck in each half at The Hawthorns as Claudio Yacob briefly levelled.

But it was a controversial night as Gundogan, making his first start after a long-term knee injury in December 2016, was taken out by Yacob.

The German midfielder had impressed with his pace and direct running but hobbled off after being caught from behind by Yacob.

Argentine enforcer Yacob went in the book for the challenge in the 54th minute and Guardiola was left fuming.

Gundogan had earlier seen a shot saved before Sane smashed in the rebound in the third minute as the visitors dominated.

Yacob volleyed an equaliser in the 72nd minute from Kieran Gibbs’ corner to add insult to Gundogan’s injury.

Parity lasted just five minutes until Sane curled a fine finish past Ben Foster in the 77th minute.

Guardiola had reshuffled eight of his Premier League-leading personnel but the line-up was still formidable.

Sane’s opener was the perfect start and the visitors might have doubled their lead in the 18th minute when the German crossed for Eliaquim Mangala. But Foster did well to keep out his header.

Gabriel Jesus should have made it 2-0 in the 26th minute when he skinned the returning Gareth Mcauley in the box before firing over.

It was a surprise dominant City failed to add to their opener before the break. They created chances but Sane was wasteful and Gundogan crowded out.

Foster, meanwhile, produced another good save in first-half stoppage time to claw away Raheem Sterling’s shot.

Albion’s Jay Rodriguez flashed a header wide from Craig Dawson’s cross after the restart.

With Fabian Delph playing out of position at left-back, Albion appeared to target him as a weak link. But as the hosts pushed up they became more vulnerable to the counter-attack.

Gundogan surged clear from just outside his own area to the edge of the home box before being crudely brought down from behind by Yacob.

Gundogan hobbled off much to Guardiola’s fury but Sane kept the silverware chase ticking over after Foster kept out Sterling’s shot.

VILLAIN West Brom’s Yacob protests after his foul on City star Gundogan Leroy Sane hits the winner for City at The Hawthorns HERO Baggies celebrate after Yacob, briefly, brought his side level