Pep: Fantastic human beings suffer in victory

PEP Guardiola praised his ‘fantastic players and human beings’ after City’s 3-1 win over Everton.

The Blues boss said he knew his side were going to ‘suffer’ facing the Toffees on Saturday lunchtime having only beaten Hoffenheim in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

“It was a tricky game, a dangerous game after the Champions League with less than three days recovery, against a team that was able to draw at Stamford Bridge and were drawing at Anfield until the last seconds, they’re a top side, with experienced players,” he said.

“It was in our minds that we were going to suffer and we did, the game wasn’t over until the end, but I have fantastic players and human beings and they make an incredible effort to win the game and we’re back on track with three more points.” City have been battling an injury crisis recently but Kevin de Bruyne was back from a knee injury to come off the bench against the Toffees.

Sergio Aguero was also an unused substitute having missed the four previous games with an adductor injury.

Guardiola expects Danilo to be back in action soon and with the Carabao Cup quarter-final coming up against Leicester City tomorrow, while title rivals Liverpool have a week off, the Blues boss said he was going to need all of his players during the busiest stretch of the season.

“We need everybody with these amount of games. Danilo is coming back soon, Sergio too. We need them,” Guardiola said.

“Next Tuesday we have another game, now Liverpool has a week off, we need all the players. Everybody has to be involved and do their best.”