Guardiola and Gundogan secure awards double for Man City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been named the Premier League’s player of the month again, with Pep Guardiola unsurprisingly taking the manager award for February. 

The duo had both previously received the respective honours for January, meaning Gundogan becomes the first back-to-back winner for City in the competition’s history.

The Germany international was influential in his five appearances as City moved clear of the rest in the title race, including scoring twice in a 4-1 win over reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield. 

He also managed a brace in the home victory over Tottenham too, while there was an assist in a 2-0 away triumph over Burnley at the start of the month. 

Gundogan’s second successive triumph means he pips team-mate Joao Cancelo to the award, as well as Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes, Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes and Jesse Lingard, who has thrived since joining West Ham on loan. 

2 – İlkay Gündoğan is the first Manchester City player ever to win consecutive Premier League Player of the Month awards (January and February). Supreme. pic.twitter.com/tFeDOe3Rg9

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 12, 2021

“I am very proud to win this award again – but I am most proud of being part of this amazing team,” Gundogan said, having become the first German to claim the honour twice.

“To win all our games in February, like we did in January, is amazing. I get the sense we are playing really good football and being part of that makes me happy. 

“Hopefully we can continue like this because, ultimately, winning trophies is what matters. I know all the squad want that to happen and we will try our best from now until the end of the season.”

As for Guardiola, he is rewarded after six wins from six in the league during February, a 100 per cent run that saw City score 15 goals and concede just twice. 

Fulham’s Scott Parker, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and Thomas Tuchel, who is undefeated in the league since taking charge at Chelsea, were the other coaches on the shortlist.