Ilkay Gundogan admits he twice asked Erling Haaland if he was 'sure' he was happy to hand him the penalty he eventually missed in Saturday's 2-1 win at home to Leeds United
Manchester City put themselves four points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a first-half brace from Gundogan, the midfielder twice firing home from the edge of the box. But the Blues should have been beyond reach by half-time, were it not for a number of missed chances from the uncharacteristically wasteful Haaland.
The Norwegian eventually had his chance after Pascal Struijk brought down Phil Foden in the box, but despite Guardiola's insistence that the striker take it, he passed it to Gundogan whose effort struck the post. Rodrigo pulled one back for Leeds within a minute, capitalising on a mistake from Manuel Akanji to curl his effort past Ederson.
RATINGS: Gundogan good but Haaland poor in Leeds win
The goal encouraged Leeds and forced a slighlty more nervy finish than anticipated for City, with Guardiola evidently unhappy
"I saw Erling with the ball, looking for me, telling me to take it," Gundogan told Sky Sports after full-time. "I asked him a couple of times ‘are you sure?’ and he was quite sure and confident to give me the ball.
"I wish I would have scored. The sad thing now, looking back, the disappointment of failing to score the penalty is a bit higher than actually scoring two goals and maybe winning the game, which is a bit sad to be honest.
"But it is what it is, it’s an experience we are a bit richer with, which we can hopefully apply for the next few games.
"I’m 100 per cent certain that Erling is going to step up for the next penalty."
The midfielder also told BBC Match of the Day: "First he [Man City boss Pep Guardiola] showed to Erling that he was quite mad about that and then also he had a go at me. It is what it is at the end.
"The moment Erling grabbed the ball, I was sure he was going to take it but he looked out for me. I checked with him a few times to make sure he was sure. He was certain to hand the ball to me. I was confident to score.
"I can't even remember if the keeper saved it or it was the post? We should have scored a third.
"This is sometimes how it is that they go on the counter and score. Things can change, momentum can shift. But we dealt quite well with it and deserved the three points."
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