Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes their 2-0 win over Everton in their final visit to Goodison Park was hugely significant in the quest to secure a 15th successive season of Champions League football.
The game was meandering towards a draw, which would have opened the door for sixth-placed Chelsea, until Nico O’Reilly (84) and Mateo Kovacic, in added time, scored to open up a four-point cushion to the Europa League places.
Asked about the importance of those two goals, Guardiola, whose side were underwhelming throughout, said: “I would say big.
Thank you for backing us until the very end! 🩵
See you at the Etihad on Tuesday 👊 pic.twitter.com/WkXAFeFXyU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2025
“We have five or six games left so to win here at Goodison Park, in the moment they had winning at Nottingham Forest (last weekend) – and Liverpool and Arsenal couldn’t win here – is massively important.
“Of course, we are miles away from Liverpool and Arsenal, but tonight we sleep fourth and we will see what happens to Villa, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Chelsea.
“Now it is in our hands. We need a final on Tuesday (at home to Villa). Three games at home, two away and hopefully we can achieve this big success to qualify for the Champions League.”
The performance was less than impressive but Guardiola accepts at this stage of the season, with so much at stake, the result surpasses everything.
“It’s not necessary to be so smart,” he added.
“We didn’t create much but in the second half we were more aggressive and the players made a step up.
“The second half was better because the players were better. The back four was brilliant: maybe on the ball was a little bit sloppy, but they were so solid and really pleased for the game because it was really important.”
For Everton boss David Moyes, it was his third defeat since returning to the club in January and he pinpointed the 52nd-minute loss of influential centre-back James Tarkowski to a hamstring injury as a pivotal moment.
“I think Tarky coming off was a big change in the game. It changed a lot of things and it shouldn’t have, but it did,” he said.
“You could feel it and I think Man City sensed it as well. I didn’t feel as comfortable. I felt we should have definitely dealt with the first goal better than we did.
“It is something the club will need to consider because between him, Jarrad (Branthwaite) and the goalkeeper it is an incredibly strong part of the team, and when one of them is out you can see it can have a big effect.
“But I have to say the boys have done a great job. It is amazing to think after I first came in here that I am pretty disappointed we’ve lost to Man City.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
