Ilkay Gundogan named Premier League Player of the Month for February

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan has been named Premier League Player of the Month for February, having also scooped the award in January.

The German has been in irresistible form since mid-December, and now has 12 goals and two assists under his belt in just 23 Premier League outings.

Having been without the influential Kevin De Bruyne for a significant period of time, Gundogan's ability to chip in with goals and assists has kept City's title tilt on track, and they are now firm favourites to claim a fifth Premier League crown and third under manager Pep Guardiola.

Upon receiving his award, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder said: “I am very proud to win this award again – but I am most proud of being part of this amazing team.

“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.”

Gundogan has been at Manchester City for almost five years, but until this season he's struggled greatly with numerous injury problems. Fortunately, those issues appear to be a thing of the past, and the 30-year-old is now flourishing in a more advanced box-to-box midfielder's role - rather than operating as a deep lying playmaker like he's so often done so in the past.

Gundogan's award was mirrored by further success for Guardiola, who after leading the club to an unprecedented 21 wins in a row in all competitions, also picked up yet another Manager of the Month award.

The duo's success can be celebrated further at the weekend, when City take on struggling Fulham at Craven Cottage.