Pep Guardiola was happy to come away from Goodison Park with all three points, describing the 2-0 win over Everton as a ‘good victory’.
Man City knew that a win on Merseyside would see them return to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, a situation that looked inconceivable just eight days ago following their defeat to Newcastle United last Tuesday.
However, Liverpool’s two successive slip-ups have left the door open, with the champions taking the opportunity to move to the top of the pile, albeit perhaps temporarily, after their rearranged Premier League game against Everton this evening.
While City didn’t look at their clinical best against the Toffees, they managed to take the lead in the 47th minute, when Aymeric Laporte took advantage of Everton’s inability to defend set pieces, to thunder a header past Jordan Pickford.
The visitors left it until late to seal the win, with Gabriel Jesus netting in the 97th minute.
Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola described it as a ‘good victory’ although he suggested that his players are already getting tired, with City still challenging on four fronts.
“Goodison Park is always tough. We didn’t concede one shot on target. It’s a good victory. We have a lot of games in our legs and minds,” Guardiola told BBC Sport.
“Top of the table – we have to wait for Liverpool to go to Old Trafford (on 24 February) and if they win we are not top. We have a tough game against Chelsea, it is non-stop.
“The first half we arrived in positions we wanted to. Second half we had more problems. We tired after our effort in the last game but two goals, a clean sheet and a good performance.”
Man City face Chelsea at the weekend in the latest high-profile encounter for Pep Guadiola’s men.