Everton’s first match back from the international break ended in disappointment, but Pep Guardiola had high praise for them.
Erling Haaland’s second-half strikes would ultimately decide the game, after Beto produced two poor moments where he had to score.
After the match, David Moyes felt Beto should have done better, and those missed chances were the story of the game for Everton.
Despite the Toffees losing, in his post-match interviews, Guardiola paid Moyes and Everton a big compliment.
Pep Guardiola Manager / Head Coach of Manchester City applauds the fans at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola admits Everton gave Manchester City problems
In the first half, the Blues were resilient when defending, with Pat Nevin saying at the break, “Everton would probably be the happier team even though the best of the chances have fallen to Man City. The game plan has worked.”
Unfortunately, Haaland did break the deadlock with 58 minutes played.
While the result did not go Everton’s way, Pep Guardiola felt it was a difficult match for his side.
The Spaniard was speaking after the match via BBC Sport and said, “We were not able to control the second balls; it wasn’t easy. Everton and David Moyes are doing an incredible job.
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“The quality is there, and they have the long balls and experienced defenders. When we broke it, we started to play better.”
Jack Grealish’s return will give Everton’s attack a spark
To be honest, City getting a win at home against Everton was always the expected outcome, and picking up any points would have been an upset.
The game plan in the first half worked for the Blues, and if forward Beto had scored, a result would have definitely been possible at the Etihad.
However, the Toffees gave themselves a good showing despite the loss, and it was enough for Pep Guardiola to credit David Moyes’ tactics.
Jack Grealish will be back in action next Sunday against Tottenham, and his creativity should give them the spark they need in attack.
The forward play was lacklustre at the Etihad, and their talisman coming back into the fray will be a big boost.