Pep Guardiola
Manchester City experienced a thrilling encounter against Everton, culminating in a 2-2 draw. After initially falling behind to Jeremy Doku’s 43rd-minute goal, City managed to take the lead in the second half through substitute Thierno Barry, who scored twice. However, Everton’s resilience shone through as Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku secured a point for the visitors with late goals.
Pep Guardiola said: “Proper, really, really good. A ‘men game’… definitely. This stadium is not easy, it never has been at Everton. They have had a really good season, I think they defend really well, they defend the byline with six or seven players on the crosses. [James] Tarkowski and [Michael] Keane never shoot across, they are always there. In these type of games when you are 1-0 in the Premier League away in the position, they make an incredible step up in the duels. I say how good they were, how they fought all the time.”
Pep Guardiola added: “It’s better to get a point than no point. It would have been better to win the game like we needed to. It was difficult in the opening, with the incredible, incredible aggressive way that they play. In the second, we played with a good process but maybe not with the intention that we had in the first half. After that, we gave away the first goal, which is football. Then the corner, which was not a corner. They are so good, David Moyes has always been so good on set-pieces. After that, the game was open and on transition they had chances. We had the momentum to make an incredible second goal while the third goal was outstanding, so we take a point. I know it was in our hands, and now it’s not but now we have Brentford on Saturday and we’ll see what happens.”
Pep Guardiola further commented: “We knew we had to win the game for the situation with how many games we have left. After that, the duels continued to be aggressive, making chances on transitions and the long balls they are better with Beto and [Thierno] Barry. The second balls, they win some, and you concede the free-kicks and corners and you make decisions that are a little bit rushed. What can I say? Yellow card.”
Guardiola’s remarks highlighted the physical nature of the match and the tactical challenges posed by Everton. The City manager acknowledged the importance of securing at least a point, despite the team’s initial ambitions for victory. The draw leaves Manchester City looking ahead to their next fixture against Brentford, with the Premier League title race still wide open.
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