Gündogan double eases Manchester City towards title with win at Everton

And to think a trip to Goodison Park in the midst of a Champions League semi-final was considered the most awkward assignment of what remains of Manchester City’s run-in. The notion, and Everton, were dismissed with almost contemptuous ease as another decisive contribution from Ilkay Gündogan and another goal from Erling Haaland took Pep Guardiola’s team closer to a third successive Premier League title.

Gündogan showed why City have to secure his services beyond this summer, when his contract expires, with two goals to follow up his brace against Leeds last weekend. The midfielder’s first was a stunning piece of ingenuity that deflated Everton in their fight to avoid the drop. He then set up Haaland’s 52nd goal in all competitions this season before polishing his outstanding performance with a beautiful free-kick beyond Jordan Pickford. Ultimately Guardiola’s only issue was the timing of a game moved due to Eurovision, with Real Madrid visiting the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Everton were giving a rousing reception by their fans after suffering a record 10th home league defeat of the season. Sean Dyche’s team were outclassed and their fate was always more likely to be decided in the final two games at Wolves and at home to Bournemouth. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s departure at half-time will be a monumental setback should it prove the result of injury.

It was a close, intriguing game before the immaculate Gündogan took it away from Everton in the blink of an eye. City dominated possession as usual but Dyche’s team held the league leaders at bay with the same defensive commitment and well-planned threat on the counterattack that had devastated Brighton on Monday. Haaland barely had a touch in the first half, such was