Pep Guardiola admitted qualifying for the Champions League would be a “huge success” after his Manchester City team moved up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Everton.
City left it late to snatch all three points in their final trip to Goodison Park, with the increasingly-influential Nico O’Reilly tapping home in the 85th minute before substitute Mateo Kovacic sealed the points in stoppage time.
James Tarkowski had earlier hit the post for the hosts before limping off with an injury just after the break.
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It was a largely drab affair but Guardiola’s side found a way to win as they look to secure a top-five finish and ensure qualification to European club football’s elite competition next season.
To achieve Champions League status, the City boss said, would be a significant achievement.
“In the second half we made a step up, our players performed much better and, in the end, we found the goals we needed to win the game,” Guardiola said.
“To get to the Champions League in this country is a huge success, a big success. They will not convince me otherwise.
“In the past when we won the Premier League, even when six or seven games before we knew we had qualified I always tried to celebrate it because I know how difficult it is.”
Guardiola was also quick to single out praise for 20-year-old O’Reilly: “Our fans love Nico because they love Academy players.
“He’s another player that can help us.”
Talking about Everton’s stadium, the City manager admitted he had some painful memories from previous visits but added he would be sad to see it go.
Guardiola said: “It has been truly, truly an honour to come here to Goodison Park for many years. Today I was on the pitch [before the game] watching on the screen, watching all the goals [at Goodison Park over the years] and I said, ‘Wow! This is English football’”
“My friend [former Toffees boss] Ronald Koeman destroyed me the first time I came here in a 4-0, with [Romelu] Lukaku, I remember perfectly. The beginning of an incredible adventure that we are living and have lived for almost more than one decade.”
