‘Better be more prepared next game’, ‘Was like this last season’ – Man City fans react as Pep Guardiola says he expected a tough Everton challenge

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he expected to face a stubborn Everton for Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

City created a number of chances in the first half, taking the lead through Erling Haaland and dominating possession. However, after a bright start to the second half was halted by a ten-minute stoppage for the assistant referee to fix his communication equipment, Everton equalised through Demarai Gray’s stunning strike and City struggled to rediscover their rhythm.

Guardiola believed the Toffees would set out to frustrate and likened the game to the 2-1 home loss to Brentford before the World Cup.

“They made a fantastic goal with the shot on target they had,” said Guardiola.

“We played a really good game. The approach from Liverpool and Leeds is quite different to Everton, but we played a really good game.

“I said they are going to play like Brentford with long balls and transitions. We weren’t well set, and Gray made a fantastic goal so congratulations to them.

“It’s difficult when they have nine men (behind the ball) but it’s our way to play. We had a chance in the last minute in the first half and second half.

“I cannot expect a million chances when they play that way. The result was not expected, but it’s football. We did everything to win. The referees break the rhythm, but in general we did everything.

“It’s the Premier League. It’s a strategy for the opponent and if the referee doesn’t intervene, I can’t affect the referee. It will be tough but since we came back from the World Cup we have played so well.”

These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@Gundolorian: Then why play inverted wingers against a very low block?

@ferguc1: You use inverted wingers 85 minutes, what do you expect?

@simon_teame: Pep should just stop making excuses and start playing the best unless he doesn’t know City was 5 points behind. Either Pep is overconfident he can easily win the league or he just wants Arsenal to win the league.

@DidsHughes: Making substitutions so late in game didn’t help, can’t understand why managers do that?

@ManCitty9320: Stop with excuses. Why parking the bus doesn’t work against teams that actually play football like Arsenal. Pep tells players to play slow with no intensity and speed.

@Clavipra21: Foden almost won the game, weren’t there 9 men behind the ball in the 85th minute bald?

@HashBandicoott: It’s difficult when we wait until 85 minutes before realising we need to change

@Gucciano17: The problem is our wingers… would trade Saka – Martinelli for Grealish – Mahrez anyday

@dunsedorlf: Maybe It would be easier if we had two wingers at the touchline

@YakumiSarai: Well, it’s what it’s. Better be more prepared next game for that kind of tactic, as City already tried twice

@Tune40323789: It was like this last season. Every team sat back and waited to pounce. What frustrates me is that every PL team plays like this when its Man City.