Guardiola: ‘You can’t win titles’ without a good defense



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Pep Guardiola was pleased with the way Manchester City dealt with a “physical” Everton en route to their 3-1 victory on Wednesday night.

Man City was on track for yet another victory when Phil Foden fired them up front shortly after the half hour mark. A cross in the area eventually fell on Foden. His right leg shot deflected from Seamus Coleman before hitting the net.

However, their lead didn’t last long, as Everton replaced them in the 37th minute. Lucas Digne made a great first shot towards goal. His effort hit the post, but it bounced off Richarlison’s goal.


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Guardiola’s team took the lead in the 63rd minute superbly. Bernardo Silva picked it up at the edge of the area before handing it to Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international hit him for the first time when he emphatically found the left corner past Jordan Pickford.

City’s victory was almost sealed in the 77th minute when Silva scored his third. Gabriel Jesús was the creator this time by letting Silva into the edge of the area. The attacker evaded Michael Keane before crushing Pickford to make it 3-1.

This is the City’s seventeenth consecutive victory in all competitions. They are now ten points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Speaking after the game with Amazon Prime Video, quoted by BBC SportGuardiola suggested that Man City should always have “patience” when attacking:

“A really tough game, the field is not in perfect condition in winter and they are a very physical team. A solid performance, the guys run like we have to and three points.

“We have quality up front but it comes through passing and when we get to the last third we want to attack too fast, we have to be patient. The second goal is an example that if you can’t find (the opening), make an extra pass.

“Sometimes Riyad Mahrez plays on the left, sometimes on the right, it depends on the team’s decisions.

“Football is not defensive, offensive, you cannot win titles (without good defense) and we have conceded few goals and few chances. This team (Everton) scored three at Old Trafford and five against Spurs and a team that can create chances.

“Sometimes our full-backs attack more widely, it depends on the opponents. Not all full-backs can play on the inside, it depends on everyone’s abilities ”.



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