Pep Guardiola lamented the loss of two points but had no complaints about Everton’s approach after the Merseysiders held out for an unexpected 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Demarai Gray canceled out an Erling Haaland goal with a stunning equalizer in a tense Premier League clash on Saturday, with Arsenal beating Brighton 4-2 afterwards to establish a seven-point cushion at the top.
Mikel Arteta’s side face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday – live on Sky Sports – meaning they could be 10 points clear when City visit Chelsea next Thursday at Stamford Bridge, too on Sky Sports.
The only team with at least a seven-point lead at the end of New Year’s Eve not to have won the title is Liverpool in 2018/19, who boasted the same lead.
Tuesday, January 3 at 7:00 p.m. Opening at 7:45 p.m
Everton’s game plan frustrated City in a disjointed, moody and ill-tempered contest, although what contributed most to the 11 minutes of stoppage time played in the second half was the need for one of the assistant referees to have the earphones. repaired
City manager Guardiola said: “They scored a fantastic goal with the first shot on goal, so we had a really good game.
“Of course the result was not expected, but this is football, it’s not the first time it happens. We did everything to win. They played very well.
“Afterwards they broke the rhythm a bit because the referees weren’t ready but overall we did everything and unfortunately we couldn’t win.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City v Everton Premier League draw
Guardiola’s only real complaint was about a perceived lack of consistency from referee Andrew Madley.
He claimed he had no problem with Haaland being booked for a rash tackle on Vitaliy Mykolenko and revealed he had to tell the Norwegian, who was sent off after an early clash with Ben Godfrey, to calm down.
However, the Spaniard was upset that difficult challenges from his players were not punished in the same way.
Guardiola said: “It’s a yellow card for Erling, no doubt. I said: ‘Be careful, it’s an action, it can be dangerous, we can’t play 10 against 11’. I know what happened, I was a bit angry about the first action on the ankle.
“But Jack Grealish was down three or four times, nothing happened, and (Haaland’s) first action was a yellow card.”
Asked if he complained that his players were not getting enough protection, Guardiola said: “No, no, no.”
Lampard is proud of Everton’s approach
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Frank Lampard praised Demarai Gray after he scored a fine equalizer for Everton
It was the first point in four games for 16th-placed Everton. The Toffees, who had lost 2-1 at home to Wolves in their first game back from the World Cup, are now two points above the relegation zone.
Boss Frank Lampard said: “I think we limited their (City’s) good chances, and in terms of our character and discipline and sticking with the plan, working consistently for 100 minutes, understanding that sometimes it’s difficult and you have to stick with it, I thought we did brilliantly and deserved a point.
“It’s very important for us because it’s coming off a blow against Wolves. To come to the champions and get something back in a difficult game is a big deal for us, even if it’s a point, but it’s very important for the dressing room . . .
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Here’s how Lee Hendrie reacted to Demarai Gray’s superb goal as Everton visit Manchester City
“It would be great to come here and open up against City and try to go head-to-head, but they are at this level and the position we are in at the moment is not for us. I think we can be very proud of the our way of approaching the game.”
Lampard described Gray’s strike as “unstoppable”, adding: “When he scores a goal like that, it just shows you how talented he is and he got us a point.”
Lampard also spoke about Michael Keane’s withdrawal from the matchday squad, saying: “Hopefully it’s a little bit of the back of his knee that he felt in training yesterday and he felt it again in the warm-up today, so we’ll get it. scanned.”
Manchester City’s next six games
Thursday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m. Opening at 8:00 p.m
Thursday 5 January – Chelsea (A) – Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm
Sunday 8 January – Chelsea (H) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 4.30pm
Wednesday 11 January – Southampton (A) – quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, kick-off 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 14 January – Manchester United (A) – Kick-off 12.30 p.m
Thursday 19 January – Tottenham (H) – Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm
Sunday January 22 – Wolves (H) – Departure 2pm
Arsenal’s next six games
Image: Have Arsenal opened up an unassailable lead?
Tuesday January 3 – Newcastle (H) – Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 7.45pm
Monday 9 January – Oxford United (A) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 8pm
Sunday 15 January – Tottenham (A) – Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm
Sunday 22 January – Manchester United (H) – Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm
Sunday 4 February – Everton (A) – Start 12.30pm
Saturday 11 February – Brentford (H) – Start 15:00 h