Gundogan puts City in cruise control...
MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Ederson produced an astonishing 80-yard assist for two-goal Ilkay Gundogan as Manchester City recorded their 16th consecutive victory in all competitions and stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with a game in hand.
City opened the scoring midway through the first half when Rodri became their seventh different penalty taker to try his luck from 12 yards and did just enough to beat a diving Hugo Lloris for his first goal of the season.
The second half turned into the Gundogan show, though he later limped off. The German scored shortly after half-time following a flowing passing move and then tucked away Ederson’s long pass to wrap up the points with his 14th goal of the season.
Jose Mourinho’s defensive strategy totally failed to stem the light blue tide and there will be questions as to why Dele Alli and Gareth Bale were only introduced from the bench in the second half.
The Spurs boss tried to remain upbeat in defeat, saying: ‘Losing 3-0, a team that is not united, a team that is not together would give up and probably be punished in a way that the team did not deserve. They give you everything. I can’t complain about the attitude of the boys.’
An empty Etihad isn’t quite the same as a packed Nou Camp or Bernabeu where the two managers used to clash so ferociously during El Clasico encounters. But it clearly still meant a lot to both men.
Tottenham’s substitutes list was more glamorous than their starting XI with Bale, Alli and Joe Hart conversing in the stands as their team-mates struggled.
The only figure who looked capable of disrupting City’s monopoly was Harry Kane who almost earned his side a shock lead single-handed.
He was tapped on the back of the legs by Aymeric Laporte and took the free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. His curler was almost inch-perfect, avoiding the wall and beating Ederson — only to strike the right-hand post.
City’s passing tempo remained quick though and they deservedly took the lead after 23 minutes. Gundogan got goalside of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and was trod on as the Spurs midfielder stretched to challenge.
Rodri stepped forward and converted but not without difficulty, Lloris getting a hand to his low kick but only pushing it into the corner. It boosted City’s recent record from the spot to 10 in 18.
Gabriel Jesus hit the crossbar before City conjured up a superb second goal after 50 minutes. Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Gundogan exchanged passes inside the box so that Spurs’ heavy-legged defenders couldn’t get near them.
Sterling slipped the final pass into Gundogan whose toe-poke from close range didn’t give Lloris enough time to react as the ball squeezed past his legs.
Gundogan has stepped up to the plate since Kevin De Bruyne’s injury and his second goal was even better. Ederson pumped an astonishing 80-yard assist into the German’s path as he dashed towards the penalty area.
Gundogan showed brilliant composure to turn inside Davinson Sanchez and tuck the ball home. Guardiola raised his arms in joy, and several City players ran to congratulate their goalkeeper.
The only blow to a perfect day was Gundogan limping off soon afterwards, having appeared to tweak his groin.
Guardiola added: ‘That was well deserved. Tottenham have special quality but we have a special way to play and we will continue. We have to be patient. Calm.’