City feeling the strain as injuries mount, says Pep

MANCHESTER CITY coach Pep Guardiola was left to count the cost of a hard-fought League Cup final shootout victory over Chelsea on Sunday when he lost two key players to injury with crucial domestic and European matches approaching.

Defender Aymeric Laporte and midfielder Fernandinho were substituted and Guardiola, said they were unlikely to be back in time for the home leg of City’s last 16 Champions League tie on 12 March against Germany’s Schalke, which his side lead 3-2.

The Spaniard added that City, who beat Chelsea 4-3 on penalties after Sunday’s showpiece finished 0-0 following extra time, would be tired when they resume the chase of Premier League leaders Liverpool at home to West Ham United tomorrow.

He said other clubs challenging for the Champions League were not competing in two domestic Cup competitions and the strain was starting to show on his players.

“I am impressed how they (City’s players) can play games and games and games and not have injuries, but in the end it is happening,” he said.

City are still in the FA Cup – they face second-tier Swansea City in the quarter-finals next month – as well as chasing the league Champions League.

Guardiola played down the significance of Liverpool being held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester United in the league earlier on Sunday which put the Anfield club just one point ahead of City.

“Still they are leading, still they are the favourites,” Guardiola said.

Meanwhile, Everton’s remaining Premier League games assume the importance of title clashes as the club look to overcome the inconsistency that has dogged their campaign, manager Marco Silva said yesterday.

Despite significant investment on players in a bid to push for European qualification, Everton sit 11th in the table with 33 points from 27 games.

The Merseyside club have lost their last three league matches, but Silva title and the believes he can turn the club’s fortunes around without making radical changes.

“We have to look at each match as a final, playing with confidence is the main thing for us now,” Silva told a news conference ahead of Everton’s trip to Cardiff City tonight.

“I’m not happy with results or position, but everything is open and we don’t have to change what was our goal at the start of the season.

“We’re losing points and not achieving the good results in some moments, (it’s) in the details. In this types of details we have to work more and more to be consistent as a team.”

Phil Jagielka is back following a knee problem and fellow defender Leighton Baines has shaken off a rib injury. Yerry Mina faces a late fitness test. |