Manager expects his side’s next test against Brentford to be just as tough as game versus Toffees
Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City no longer control their own destiny in the Premier League title race after a 3-3 draw away at Everton.
City are now five points behind Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, following a dramatic contest in which they went ahead first but then had to come from behind late on to salvage a point.
“[The title] is not in our hands,” Guardiola admitted. “Before that game it was, and Arsenal’s as well. But now, in our hands, no.”
City looked on course for victory after taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, with Jeremy Doku scoring in the 43rd minute. However, Everton turned the game around early in the second half.
Substitute Thierno Barry equalised in the 68th minute before Jake O’Brien headed the hosts in front five minutes later. Barry struck again in the 81st minute to make it 3-1, capitalising on a misplaced back pass from Marc Guehi.
City responded with Erling Haaland quickly reducing the deficit, before Doku scored a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a draw. Guardiola said the draw was not as a good as a win but better than losing
“Really good performance,” Guardiola said. “We played an outstanding first half. It was so difficult with their physicality. Second half, maybe we were not as much in control, and after we gave away the goal, they came back and made a proper English game, so aggressive in the duels. But in general, we made a really good performance.”
City host Brentford next, while Arsenal travel to face West Ham United, with four games remaining in the season.
Guardiola said: “We have four games in the Premier League, next is Brentford, and it will be quite similar because the competitors are good, and we will see what happens.”
