- Pep Guardiola hailed the atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
- Everton conceded two late goals to draw 3-3 .
- Guardiola compared the Hill Dickinson atmosphere to Goodison Park.
Everton played out a brilliant 3-3 draw with Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening. Jeremy Doku opened the scoring for the visitors just before half‑time, but a quick brace from Thierno Barry and a bullet header from Jake O’Brien put the Toffees into a 3‑1 lead. However, Doku struck late in the 97th minute to snatch a point for City.
Despite the late disappointment, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was effusive in his praise for Everton and the atmosphere at their new home.
Pep Guardiola: ‘Proper English football – a men’s game’
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Guardiola compared the Hill Dickinson atmosphere to Goodison Park. “It [the atmosphere compared to Goodison] was quite similar, they were proper. Proper English football, an English game. Proper, really, really good. A ‘men game’… definitely.”
The 55‑year‑old added, “This stadium is not easy, it never has been at Everton. They have had a really good season, I think they defend really well, they defend the byline with six or seven players on the crosses.”
“Even when they have eight or nine players in the box, we arrived, we create and make the last pass. In these type of games when you are 1‑0 in the Premier League away in the position, they make an incredible step up in the duels. I say how good they were, how they fought all the time.”
‘It’s better to get a point than no point’
Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of the game. “It’s better to get a point than no point. It would have been better to win the game like we needed to. It was difficult in the opening, with the incredible, incredible aggressive way that they play. We were composed and the first half was exceptional. In the second, we played with a good process but maybe not with the intention that we had in the first half.
“After that, we gave away the first goal, which is football. Then the corner, which was not a corner. They are so good, David Moyes has always been so good on set‑pieces. After that, the game was open and on transition they had chances.”
Everton made it tough for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola
The City boss reflected on the physical battle. “We knew we had to win the game for the situation with how many games we have left. After that, the duels continued to be aggressive, making chances on transitions and the long balls they are better with Beto and [Thierno] Barry. The second balls, they win some, and you concede the free‑kicks and corners and you make decisions that are a little bit rushed.”
Guardiola’s words were a testament to Everton’s performance. The Toffees may not have taken all three points, but they earned the respect of one of the world’s best managers, denting their title hopes.
Everton were close to getting a win, but would be gutted to only get a draw in the end. With three games remaining for Everton, that fighting spirit shown against Manchester City will be essential.
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