Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with an emphatic 4-0 win over Basel.
In-form Sergio Aguero also scored his 198th City goal and Bernardo Silva got on the scoresheet as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to victory on a freezing night at St Jakob-Park.
Most of the damage was done as City rattled in three goals in a blistering nine-minute spell early in the first half, dashing Basel’s hopes of causing an upset after making a bright start.
Gundogan struck a sublime second after the break but the Premier League leaders were cruusing by then, having eased off to conserve energy in their continuing quadruple quest.
FULL-TIME | ? 0-4 ? #fcbvcity #mancity
We in the driving seat after the first leg! ?????? pic.twitter.com/6ojyrNKEQf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018
Tweet of the match
34 – Manchester City have already won more games this season in all competitions (34) than they did in the whole of last season (33). Exceptional. #UCL #BSLMCI pic.twitter.com/UJhZwns81G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018
Player of the match – Ilkay Gundogan
S I L K Y I L K A Y ⚡️
? 0-4 ? #fcbvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/N0cBv0u8de
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018
The German took both his goals well and kept the Basel backline on their toes all evening. The first one he showed determination to get on the end of Kevin De Bruyne’s corner and the second he confidently curled into the top corner.
Moment of the match
PHOOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRR!! @IlkayGuendogan!!
? 0-4 ? #fcbvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/xpQhBAfZE0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018
Ilkay Gundogan’s second goal. The German international doubled his goal tally for the season in this game and it was a superbly taken goal early in the second half that completely killed the game off. He made it look easy, picking the ball up after being afforded far too much space just outside the penalty area and curling it confidently into the top corner of the net.
How many goals can City score?
Defensive concerns
48. SAVE! Class stop from @edersonmoraes93 to get a big hand to Elyounoussi’s swerving effort!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018
Even though it was a comfortable victory for City and they kept a clean sheet, manager Pep Guardiola will be a little concerned about City’s vulnerability at the back. Basel could, and perhaps should, have had a penalty and scored twice before City opened the scoring. Ederson then had to make a fine stop after the break. The fact the Swiss side were lightweight in attack was the only reason they did not take advantage and against a European powerhouse of the likes of Real Madrid or Paris St Germain, City will not be so fortunate.
Player ratings
Substitutes: Leroy Sane (on for Sterling, 57) 7 , David Silva (on for De Bruyne 63) 6, Danilo (on for Aguero 85) 6.
Who’s up next
Wigan v Manchester City (FA Cup fifth round) – Monday, February 19.
Basel v St Gallen (Swiss Super League) – Saturday, February 17.
