Pep Guardiola commended several Manchester City players, including Jack Grealish, following a hard-fought victory over Everton.
Before Erling Haaland’s two goals secured City’s ninth consecutive win in all competitions, they struggled for the first 70 minutes of their Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola was particularly concerned about the impact of the substitutes.
To inject urgency into the team, Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were brought on in the second half. Bernardo Silva and Grealish also entered the game to bolster the team’s efforts. Guardiola praised their contributions and specifically highlighted Grealish, who had been absent from the squad recently.
“I love winning games like this,” Guardiola remarked. “We knew it would be tough; Everton is always a challenge here, and we’ve dropped points before.
“The players’ body language improved significantly in the second half, which was crucial. We were frustrated in the first half due to poor body language and the need for better chemistry when losing possession.
“We adapted better in the second half. The first half wasn’t great, but Jack, Bernardo, and Kyle made significant contributionsβespecially Jack, who helped maintain possession.
“It’s well-deserved, and winning games like this, despite the challenges, brings satisfaction. We don’t take anything for granted, as demonstrated by the way we celebrate our achievements.”