Jamie Carragher claims Ilkay Gundogan’s slick finish is the Premier League’s goal of the season

Jamie Carragher has insisted Ilkay Gundogan’s first goal against Everton at the weekend is the best goal in the Premier League this season.

Gundogan struck in the first half of City’s 3-0 win over the Toffees’ in what was an impressive finish as he brought down Riyad Mahrez’s cross with his thigh before poking past Jordan Pickford.

The win set City on their way to the Premier League title, with Pep Guardiola’s side now needing a maximum of just one more win to clinch their third title in a row.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher was full of praise for the midfielder, who will be the man to lift the title for City if they are confirmed champions.

He insisted the goal was unforgettable as he praised the German’s technique for the strike.

Gundogan brought down Riyad Mahrez’s pass before poking home the first goal of the game

‘He’s had a fantastic career,’ Carragher said of Gundogan. ‘He was a special player at Dortmund and he’s a special player at City. The goal we’re looking at now I think is goal of the season.

‘It reminded me of something Bergkamp did. That is a goal we will remember for a long time.’

Carragher went on to break down how Gundogan changed his mind late to bring the ball down before scoring the goal.

He appeared to adjust his leg position moments before the ball reached him, taking the pace off the ball to control it.

‘He was about to control on this thigh,’ Carragher said. ‘His thigh gets to a 90 degree angle and at a very late stage he decides he doesn’t want to control it like that, at the last minute he decides to take his leg down and take the pace out of it. 

‘He’s gone from a right angle to a straight leg, there’s a player challenging him from behind and to finish like that it’s poetry in motion.’

Carragher broke down the goal on Sky Sports as he led the praise for ‘special player’ Gundogan

Gary Neville, meanwhile, praised City with Pep Guardiola’s on the verge of winning the title.

‘They are a machine,’ said the former Manchester United defender. ‘They have sat there in this long race almost looking disinterested at times and at the right time they’ve come alive. 

‘We thought between the Real Madrid games that it would be a tough game but yesterday felt like a a hammer blow for Arsenal. Once that first goal went in it was mightily impressive. 

‘They showed real class not conceding a goal against a team fighting for their lives and they’ve shown the knowhow needed at this stage of the season.’