Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City did enough to win against Everton, and his only frustration after the draw was with dropping two points.
City created a number of chances in the first half, taking the lead through Erling Haaland and dominating possession. However, after a bright start to the second half was halted by a ten-minute stoppage for the assistant referee to fix his communication equipment, Everton equalised through Demarai Gray's stunning strike and City struggled to rediscover their rhythm.
Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne went close, while other opportunities in the box were snuffed out just before a shot could be taken, and City had to settle for a point ahead of Arsenal's trip to Brighton that could see the gap to first place increase to seven points.
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However, Guardiola was in no mood to look for excuses, whether that was at the officials, his players, or Everton's physical approach to the game.
"They made a fantastic goal and the shot on target they had, the first one, so we played a real, real good game," Guardiola said.
"Not a similar game to Leeds and Liverpool because the approach from them was completely different to how Everton played tonight but we played a really good game. Of course the result was not expected, but that is football, it is not the first time it happened. We did everything to win.
"They played really well. Afterwards they break a bit the rhythm because the referees were not ready but in general we did everything and unfortunately could not win.
"[Everton's tactics are] a strategy for the opponent and if the referees don’t intervene, it’s a problem for refereeing, I cannot do anything. Of course we dropped two points and it will be tough to get top of the league but we played really well since we came back from the World Cup. It’s been one of our best periods. I feel the way we are playing is a top, top level. But we have to win and could not do it.
"When I saw five at the back I said to the guys they are going to play like Brentford: long balls, set-pieces, long balls, set pieces. When they transitioned we were well set. And then Gray made a fantastic goal. We congratulate them but we had enough chances. Always it is difficult when we play against eight players with that physically, Onana, Gueye, all the defenders, they start in the 18-yard box all the time.
"It’s difficult to play against. But our positioning was really good. Maybe we were a little bit [less of] a threat upfront but it’s not easy. We had a chance in the last minute of the first half, the last minute of the second half. The way we played was really good."
Guardiola looked a little frustrated towards the end of the game when City were pushing to find a winner, but he explained how his only frustrations came from the scoreline.
"I am frustrated we dropped two points and I would love to win the game. We play to win it. It is football the only sport it can happen, one shot and they score. I would love to create one thousand million chances but it is difficult.
"Real defenders there with a good goalkeeper. It’s difficult. We miss the second goal and we played to score it, we didn’t do it. I don’t want one second to talk about the referees."
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