City’s German midfield international secured the prize for his pivotal impact from the bench in last Sunday’s incredible, title-clinching 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
New for the 2021-22 campaign, the award recognises the individual to have made the single most game-changing performance over the course of the season as voted for by fans.
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In total, six players were nominated for the award, with Ilkay’s City colleague Kevin De Bruyne also making the shortlist following his superb four-goal haul in our 5-1 win at Wolves earlier this month.
Ultimately, however, Gundogan’s seismic contribution in last Sunday’s dramatic Premier League finale at home to Villa saw the German scoop the award.
Gundogan was summoned from the bench as a second half substitute with City trailing 2-0 with just 15 minutes remaining in a game we needed to win to secure a fourth title in five years.
However, two goals from the German international inside five and a half minutes secured one of the most dramatic and memorable comebacks in Premier League history.
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First, Gundogan’s 75th minute header narrowed the deficit.
Then, after Rodri’s sweet strike had drawn Pep Guardiola’s side level on 77 minutes, Gundogan converted De Bruyne’s assist at the far post with nine minutes left to set the deal on an amazing turnaround.
Congratulations to Ilkay on his award!
