Everton welcomed Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Monday night.
The Toffees suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Citizens at the Etihad Stadium back in October, but delivered a much stronger performance on a night where both the title race and the battle for European football were on the agenda, fighting from 1-0 down to eventually draw 3-3.
Before the clash began, Guardiola raved about the Hill Dickinson Stadium, specifically mentioning the “locker rooms” as an admirable feature.
What do you miss most about Goodison Park after months in the Hill Dickinson Stadium? 🥺
The new stadium has surpassed all expectations so far 🔥
Pep Guardiola hails the Hill Dickinson Stadium
David Moyes is still yet to beat the Spaniard after 16 attempts, as goals from Thierno Barry and Jake O’Brien cancelled out efforts from Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland, denying Everton all three points in the final seconds.
Manchester City were particularly comfortable in the opening 45 minutes before chaos ensued in the second half. This was perhaps born out of the Citizens being overly cosy inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Guardiola heaping praise on the “locker rooms” and other aspects of the new ground.
The 55-year-old said: “What a stadium! Congratulations Everton because they’ve made – in the locker rooms and all the places – it really, really beautiful.”
Guardiola had previously said that he found Goodison Park to be “so cool” and he “loved” to go there, a venue he famously lost 4-0 to Ronald Koeman at on his first visit.
Considering Everton suffered defeats at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to other clubs with large stadiums such as Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool this season, there is evidence to suggest some visiting sides are feeling too comfortable when facing the Toffees.
If you could change one thing about the Hill Dickinson, what would it be? 🤔
If that is the case, it is down to Moyes to make the new ground into an intimidating venue like Goodison Park was by instilling drive and passion into his side – more passionate displays like this one against Manchester City should do the trick nicely.
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