Pep Guardiola frustrated by teams defending deep against Man City

Among the flying limbs of Manchester City's away end stood Cole Palmer, throwing himself around in celebration as team-mate Phil Foden slid toward them and cupped his ear with swagger.

Joao Cancelo looked so pumped, eyes bulging while grabbing the club's badge, that he seemed ready to jump in alongside injured academy star Palmer. Saturday night was not pretty City. 

This was the 82nd minute of an arduous evening, Foden the fox to Michael Keane's chicken inside a nesting box that Everton had guarded so diligently.

The exaltation in one corner of Goodison Park told the story of this being no routine victory, but one that might feel hugely significant come the end of May.

The scenes continued when referee Paul Tierney blew his whistle and Everton's bench blew their top after VAR Chris Kavanagh's controversial decision not to award a late penalty.

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, headed straight for the travelling supporters, blowing kisses and whipping them up. 'I would love to hug them all every single game,' said Guardiola. 

'I don't go much to thank them because wherever we go, they are far, far away. Our away fans are extraordinary.'

Guardiola's two public displays of affection have both come on Merseyside this season, the first following October's pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield. Coincidence, perhaps. Or perhaps he acknowledges the effort required to leave with points from this part of the world.

City were good at Liverpool, though, while across Stanley Park they were not. In fact, this was not the first recent occasion when the champions have dipped way below their natural level.

Poor against Tottenham last week, victory over Brentford similarly hard work and even the five-goal rout of Sporting Lisbon drew criticism from