The challenge for Everton is to make Pep Guardiola change his tune. City have a roster of world class footballers and the difference between the teams is significant, but it doesn’t mean anyone at Goodison Park should accept yet another defeat and the kind words of their manager. You see, the Manchester City boss is never short of kind words about the Blues but it’s long overdue that they got his back up. That it felt less inclined to talk them up before, and after, matches.
This is what he said after this game.
Pep Guardiola said: “…a real, tough, tough game. We knew it. We saw their warm-up and you could see the commitment and how focused they were. They defended really aggressively, in the good sense, winning duels…Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are so strong. Every throw is a corner. Really, really tough. One of the toughest games we have played this year. From the last international break to this international break.”
One the one hand, the compliments are something for Everton to take from this defeat. The Blues have to find the positives from the wreckage of another failed FA Cup campaign. But on the other hand, Everton should be sick and tired of hearing it. The compliments are just hollow words really.
