THAT’S GUN ’N HELPED
Pep’s dream boosted by Ilkay and KDB
PEP GUARDIOLA may never allow his players to dream about creating history and finding ‘utopia’ until the final ball of this season is kicked.
And, as long as these scorelines continue, that will be just fine. Thoughts of paradise after landing the Quadruple can wait.
Late strikes from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne allowed the Catalan to chalk one more tricky test off his tactics board.
And what a 55 days there is in prospect for the champsin-waiting, who are showing absolutely no signs of letting up in their glory quest.
Potentially, another 14 victories will see them home. But that does not take into account the monstrous 14-point lead they hold over the rest of the pack in the Premier League.
Guardiola said: “This was one of the toughest games we will face between now and the end of the season.
“Everton had all week to prepare for this game. They were incredibly well prepared, they work very hard – and long balls are difficult to control.
“Every throw-in was like a corner. We played with ambition.
“Carlo is an incredible manager. We played against them a few weeks ago and he knew this was one game.
“We knew that the first goal would win and fortunately we got it. The players were fantastic.”
Manchester City’s boss now has the juicy carrot of a two-week break to recharge his batteries. His players have no such luxury. The majority will try to fly to fulfil their international obligations.
In what state they will return is anyone’s guess.
Guardiola was hopeful and added: “I hope they stay safe and well – not just for us, but for them. Now that people are travelling we have spoken about this and told them – be careful.
“We are lucky in England that it’s the best country – alongside the United States – they have vaccinated a lot of people to make our life easier.”
The scoreline tells who won this quarter-final. But it cannot convey just how hard Everton made the visitors work for their triumph.
Ancelotti produced a gameplan that the Toffees had clearly spent considerable time honing on the training ground.
It depended on the whole XI buying into the project. A five-man rearguard supplemented by three midfielders who had to rotate themselves to snuff out the visitors’ threat.
By and large, they did.
For the tactic to succeed, it required a maximum effort and Ancelotti’s men rose to the challenge.
It was not really until the hour-mark was in sight that rookie keeper Joao Virginia’s goal came under threat.
He produced a fingertip stop to deny Raheem Sterling but just as it looked as if the hosts would drag their opponents into extra time, the blue wall was finally breached.
Gundogan nodded into an empty net with just six minutes to go after Virginia tipped Aymeric Laporte’s fierce shot onto the crossbar.
And then substitute De Bruyne strode forward to put the tie beyond reach with a thumping finish to leave the
Premier League champions elect one step closer to their incredible goal.
Everton harried and chased but the closest they came was an overhead kick from Richarlison that sailed over.
Ancelotti said: “We were almost there – we did the best that we can do.
“We defended well and for at least 80 minutes, we had the game under control.
“We wanted to keep them uncomfortable. They are comfortable with the ball but we didn’t concede space. We played the game that we wanted to play.
“Overall, I am satisfied because we were beaten by the best team in the world – they are the best.”
City now face 55 days of destiny to complete the Quad dream – but they may just need 14 more wins to earn a place in history