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

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

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

The win put City on their way to the Premier League title, with Pep Guardiola’s side now needing at most one win to clinch their third title in a row.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher heaped praise on the midfielder who will be the man to clinch the title for City if they are confirmed champions.

He insisted the goal was memorable, while praising the German’s technique for attack.

Gundogan cleared down Riyad Mahrez’s pass before scoring the first goal of the match

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

“It reminded me of something Bergkamp did. That’s a goal we’ll remember for a long time.”

Carragher then explained how Gündogan lately changed his mind to take the ball down before scoring the goal.

He appeared to adjust his leg position just before the ball reached him, slowing the pace of the ball to control it.

“He was about to take control of this thigh,” Carragher said. “His thigh comes into 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 bring his leg down and take the pace out.

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

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

Meanwhile, Gary Neville 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 looking almost disinterested at times and at the right time they came alive.

“Between Real Madrid games we thought it was going to be a tough game, but yesterday felt like a sledgehammer for Arsenal. Once that first goal came in, it was hugely impressive.

“They showed real class by not conceding a goal against a team fighting for their lives and they have shown the know-how needed at this stage of the season.”