After sustaining a 3-1 defeat from Manchester City on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Everton, said that he expected their opponent to make their place in the Premier League after the team took a substantial headstart of 10 points and soared to the top of the table. 

As Manchester city pushed their record of winning to 17 games, Riyad Maharez secured goals in between the strikes of Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden. 

“It is really difficult to say another name in this moment,” said the Everton manager when asked if his team had just been defeated by the champions.

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“They are in a good form, they have belief and they are strong. We tried to be physical but it is difficult against Rodrigo, Dias and Laporte.”

Everton, who has been struggling the entire tournament to secure a place in the top four spots on the table, got a sigh of relief which did not monetise after Richarlison scored an equaliser in the first half. 

“We don’t need to have regrets tonight,” added Ancelotti as he looked forward to Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. We know how important this game is for our supporters.”

Since Manchester City picked up pace in the league games, the team has shown consistent performance and has not lost a single game since. 

Ilkay Gundogan, who has been in form, was not playing as he had sustained a groin injury while Kevin De Bruyne made a short appearance after recovering from a hamstring injury. 

When the deadlock between the teams terminated, there was a hint of good luck to it as Foden’s attempt got deflected off Seamus Coleman which left Jordan Pickford wrong-footed.

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Ancelotti’s men were showing a defensive intent until conceding, but were soon rewarded for attacking after falling behind as Lucas Digne’s attempt bounced off the post and rebounded in off Richarlison.

Silva’s gentle pass pushed back Mahrez on the edge of the box while his shot edged off the inside of the far post and found its way into the goal.

“We have the quality up front but always it comes through the passes. We need a little bit more patient, the second goal is an example of that. In the end we have to try and get the players up front in a better position”, said Guardiola.