Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he has team back. The world champions came from 1-nil down at half-time to beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park. Goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva helped the treble winners overturn a 1-nil half-time deficit.
On top of the fighting spirit shown to fight back it was a marvellous display from Manchester City. Sean Dyche’s side are notoriously difficult to play against and besides a 15 minute period after Jack Harrison’s opener in the 28th minute the European champions dominated the game. A combination of poor finishing and a determined Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal prevented City putting the game to bed in the opening 20 minutes.
It appears that Manchester City have brought their winning form from Saudi Arabia back to domestic duties. City’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph looks to have been the boost the champions needed. While their recent performances haven’t been poor they had cost themselves points with uncharacteristic errors. A similar error led to Everton’s opener but the treble winners dug in after half-time and put Sean Dyche’s side to the sword.
Speaking post game Guardiola was thrilled with the win. He said post game: “I remember on the plane home after Saudi being world champions, I listened to the players, they didn’t know, and they started to talk about Everton. I said: ‘Wow this is my team.’ We saw the teams they beat here, they’re so special and the way they control things. We want to be there.”
The hope after such a stirring win is that the champions can kick on. They next face Sheffield United at the Etihad as they hope to build on last night’s win.
