Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected suggestions that Manchester City's Premier League title challenge is finished following their dramatic 3-3 draw with Everton. The result leaves City five points behind leaders Arsenal, but the manager remains defiant about their chances.
Guardiola had previously stated that City needed to win every game from their victory over Arsenal onwards to have a realistic chance of defending their crown. Despite dropping two points at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Spanish coach refused to abandon his optimistic outlook on the title race.
"We are facing the team that is going to play the final of the Champions League," Guardiola explained. "We dropped two points in a tough game against Everton. But we try to win – let's leave two points behind them and see what happens."
City host Brentford on Saturday at 5.30pm BST while Arsenal travel to West Ham on Sunday. When asked if he would watch Arsenal's match and cheer on Nuno Espírito Santo's team, Guardiola deflected the question, insisting his focus remains solely on City's own performance.
"Let me play against Brentford and do our job," he replied. "Let's win our game against Brentford. And after you can come and ask. Always with these things it is a big mistake to look [ahead]. It's a tough opponent. We're making a top season. So, let's do our job as best as possible."
Guardiola pointed to the Everton comeback as evidence of City's fighting spirit. Erling Haaland had declared on the pitch that "we're still there" after the draw, and his manager echoed that sentiment. "We proved it in the Everton game," Guardiola said. "At 1-3 it was not done and we ended as 3-3."
There was positive injury news for City as Rodri, who has been sidelined with a groin injury since the Arsenal victory, has returned to light training. Guardiola expressed hope that the midfielder would be available for the Brentford match and confirmed he expects Rodri to play again this season.
The manager also addressed Phil Foden's new contract extension until 2031, backing the England international to rediscover his best form. Guardiola urged Foden to recapture the joy of playing football, comparing his situation to a child playing in the streets or at school, and insisted age is not a barrier to his return to top performance.
Based on reporting from Football | The Guardian.
