We have a responsibility to make the Champions League - Gundogan | OneFootball

Ilkay Gundogan says it’s crucial that Manchester City qualify for next season’s Champions League after securing a vital three points at Everton.

Late goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic clinched a 2-0 victory in our last-ever visit to Goodison Park to cement our position in the Premier League top-four.

The race for a place in Europe’s top competition will be fiercely battled until the final day of the season, even with the number of spots available extended to five.

City have qualified for the Champions League for the past 14 seasons and Gundogan says the players feel the responsibility to make it again.

WATCH: Brief highlights: Everton 0-2 City

“Since the March international break, we came back and bounced back in a really good way,” the German midfielder said.

“Not just in terms of results but also performance, being aggressive and having the right mentality. Sooner or later, you force the luck on your side and [against Everton] we left it quite late. I thought we more than deserved to win the game.

“At this part of the season, it’s crucial. Of course, our team is made and built to be more than this, it’s built to be a contender for the title every single year.

“For various reasons, we haven’t been at our best for a long period of the season. We are where we are right now, and we need to accept the situation.

“There are minimum targets that have to be achieved at this club and that’s definitely qualifying for the Champions League next season. We have to do it - it’s our responsibility.”

EVERTON 0-2 CITY | MATCH REPORT

Everton won away at Nottingham Forest the previous weekend with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now dropping out of the top-five following Sunday's results elsewhere.

And Gundogan, who returned in the summer after a season at Barcelona, says the strength of the Premier League is only getting stronger.

Asked if the Premier League is getting better, he said: “100 per cent in my experience.

“Maybe it’s easier to say because I went abroad for a year and came back - maybe it’s clearer for me.

“If you just look at the standards that are demanded, it feels like everyone can beat everyone in the league right now. It sums up how good the Premier League has become.

“Of course, with all the respect to the other leagues, the Premier League is by far the best league in Europe and in the world.”

In Nico O’Reilly, City have a young player that has quickly met the demands of the Premier League after breaking into the first team.

The 20-year-old scored the opener at Goodison Park and Gundogan was full of praise for his recent impact.

“He’s been crucial in the last few weeks for us,” he added. “He’s not playing in his natural position but he’s doing amazing.

“He’s strong, winning duals, he’s technically - for his height and for his physical conditions - amazing on the ball.

“He has the energy to get the right timing in the box and score crucial goals for us or making assists.

“He’s done amazing in the last few weeks and that’s why the manager gives him the trust and the trust he deserves to play at the highest standard.”