LAST DANCE 2.0

Gundogan is at it again on the final day as Pep's boys get the job done

- BY STEVE JUDGE

ILKAY GUNDOGAN once again proved himself to be the man for final games of the season.

Three years after his heroics helped Manchester City produce a second-half comeback to beat Aston Villa to clinch the title, the German was at it again.

This was not so dramatic, or as rewarding.

But his stunning first-half strike - and earning of a second-half penalty - was enough to ensure Pep Guardiola’s floor as City boss remained finishing third.

There was at least one feeling of ‘normal service resumed’ for the deposed champions.

Erling Haaland was back on penalty duties after handing them to Omar Marmoush in the FA Cup final to put this game to bed on 73 minutes after Gundogan had been tripped by Sasa Lukic. This has been the worst season of Guardiola’s managerial career in terms of games lost - and City’s worst in 16 seasons.

A fallow campaign has ended with Kevin De Bruyne being put out to pasture and fellow Treble winner Jack Grealish out of the squad at Fulham and seemingly being put out of his misery.

De Bruyne was left on the bench for his final game in a City shirt.