How many?! Gundogan breaks rare record as Manchester City beat Leeds 2-1
He’s done it again…
Manchester City's dominant 2-1 victory over Leeds United was highlighted by the outstanding record-breaking performance of captain Ilkay Gundogan.
The German midfielder scored two crucial goals and was a constant presence in City's midfield, orchestrating their attacks and dictating the pace of the game throughout the entire endeavour.
Gundogan's first goal came in the 19th minute, with a well-placed finish from a Riyad Mahrez assist. His second came just eight minutes later, slotting home again from yet another Mahrez assist.
Despite missing a penalty that would have given him a hat-trick, and extended City's lead, Gundogan was an ever present thorn in the side of Leeds, with his two goals critical in Manchester City’s title defence.
Record Breaker (Again)
What was particularly impressive about Gundogan's performance was his passing and consequential dictation of play.
The midfielder achieved an incredible, record-breaking 170 accurate passes, with a pass accuracy percentage of 93%, surpassing his previous Premier League record of 167 accurate passes against Chelsea in the 2017/18 season.
This was a testament to his ability to control the midfield and keep the ball moving, allowing City to dominate possession proceedings throughout the game.
Even with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne playing just ahead of him, it was Gundogan who was pulling the strings in City's midfield.
Leeds United, on the other hand, struggled to get a foothold in the game. They had just 19% of the ball and made 112 accurate passes at an accuracy of 58% - a far cry from City’s total of 792 passes at a completion of 91%.
Closer and Closer…
Pep Guardiola's side lined up in their usual 3-2-4-1 system, with Leeds shaping up in a more direct 4-3-3 shape.
City's superiority through the central areas allowed them to control the game from the outset and create numerous goalscoring opportunities.
Though, it was 32-year-old Gundogan who played a huge role in the bypassing of the Allardyce-led side, and, although the Germany international missed a penalty, his performance was a standout - earning him a FOTMOB rating of 9.0.
Despite the scare at the end, this was a dominant performance from Manchester City, with Gundogan's exceptional display in midfield being the standout feature of the game.
Ultimately, Leeds United struggled to cope with their opponents' quality and organisation, and will need to regroup with just a few games left to renew their Premier League membership for next term.
As for Manchester City, they continue to march towards another Premier League title, with captain Gundogan stepping up with a record-breaking performance.