Goodison Park was fairly empty three quarters of an hour before the kick-off when Pep Guardiola emerged from the tunnel and took a seat in the away dugout. Wrapped in a heavy grey cardigan he sat with his thoughts and assistant Manuel Estiarte for company, although there was mainly silence at a time the Manchester City manager would usually have been issuing late instruction inside the dressing room. The inference to his players was clear: you know what you have to do. City obliged with a show of character to nudge aside Liverpool at the Premier League summit.
The champions did not send a title warning across Stanley Park with the level of their performance. Guardiola was bellowing much-needed advice from the edge of his technical area moments after the contest began. But they were resolute, assured and patient against an improved Everton team as their experience of such demanding nights told. Liverpool will have noted those title-winning traits.
Written by Andy Hunter
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/06/manchester-city-everton-premier-league-title-race under the title “Resolute Manchester City give rivals a demonstration of title-winning traits | Andy Hunter”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
