Pep Guardiola praised ‘extraordinary’ Ilkay Gundogan after the German’s double blast helped see off FC Basel.

Gundogan struck after 12 and 53 minutes and came close on at least two other occasions as he doubled his season’s tally in one game.

Said Gundo is an extraordinary player. Last season we missed him a lot when he was injured. Not just his goals, his personality to play, he was fantastic. I am so happy for him.”

Kompany: Let’s finish the job

Report: Classy Blues coast home

The Blues’ boss also admitted his side were in fantastic form going into the final third of an incredible campaign to date.

“Four-zero away - it’s amazing result, but the Champions League is 180 minutes in total,” he said.

“Vincent came back; Delph came back… a lot of players are back from injury. Gabriel is coming back soon. Apart from Mendy, we will have all the squad soon.

“We are almost there in the quarter-finals. I’m not saying it’s done but we’ve had an amazing result. We defended the long balls quite well, but we were clinical today.

 

ON THE WAY: Gundogan puts City ahead
ON THE WAY: Gundogan puts City ahead

 

“My experience in the UCL last 16 is it is only over after the second game.

“Of course, we will be focused against Basel at the Etihad, but with Arsenal and Chelsea to play it’s important to be focused there, too.

“If we are able to go to the quarterfinals, that’s better than last season.

“It’s not easy to keep the level we have been playing at, but we did it. Overall, I’m delighted. Now we prepare for the next game against Wigan on Monday.

“We are still in February. In the Premier League we are in an amazing position, 16 points in front.

“But nothing is won yet. Like we said in the beginning, game by game. We try to arrive focused and win the games.”