Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City showed the mentality of champions in their fightback at Everton despite failing to win, and remain in the title race despite dropping two vital points.
Title Race Implications
City missed the chance to move back within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal as they drew 3-3 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday. Guardiola's side now trail the Gunners by five points, although they have a game in hand with four matches remaining to Arsenal's three.
City looked to have momentum and potential control of the race after beating Arsenal last month, but Guardiola admitted afterwards he was struck by Declan Rice's determination to keep fighting. Cameras caught the Arsenal midfielder telling his teammates 'it's not done' before they left the pitch, and Guardiola was pleased to see his own players taking the same attitude.
Guardiola's Assessment
'We proved it in the Everton game,' the Spaniard said. 'At 1-3 it was not done and it ended 3-3. Still we are here. The season has been more than good so far. Let's win the next game and after we'll see what happens.'
Guardiola admitted, however, that City are still ruing the costly errors that saw Everton score three times in one calamitous 13-minute spell. He said: 'Of course we made mistakes. We didn't win against Everton for many reasons – for the quality of David Moyes, for the team, so please don't misunderstand me. But last season, a lot of times, we gave away goals to the opponent and this season we've been much better than that. We're more consistent. If the opponent scores a goal, (they have to) do something to score a goal against Man City. Don't give them away. The problem with the game against Everton was that. The goals we conceded, they were so easy for them.'
Phil Foden's Role
The Everton game was another in which Phil Foden, player of the year in 2024, made only minimal impact as a substitute. The 25-year-old has struggled for form and fitness over the past two years but the academy graduate looks set to sign a new four-year contract with the club. Guardiola said: 'I've said many times, I have no doubt about Phil. He's been massively important in our seasons together and I wish, from the bottom of my heart, he can come back to his best and play the next years with all of us, to help the team to continue being what it deserves to be.'
