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‘I remember perfectly’… Pep Guardiola shares his first memory of Everton’s Goodison Park

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Everton have just two games left at Goodison Park before moving to the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Toffees played their third-final game at Goodison Park yesterday, with Manchester City snatching a late victory.

David Moyes’ side were unlucky to lose the game as they produced a battling performance against the reigning champions.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Everton speaking in his post-match interview as he labelled them as ‘almost unstoppable’ from set-pieces.

Guardiola also reflected on what will be his last visit to Goodison, as he spoke about his first memory of Everton’s iconic home.

Everton FC v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola remembers losing 4-0 on his first visit to Everton’s Goodison Park

Speaking after yesterday’s game, Guardiola paid homage to Goodison Park and remembered when he suffered a thumping 4-0 defeat to Ronald Koeman’s side in his first season in England.

“It has been truly, truly an honour to come here to Goodison Park for many years,” the Manchester City boss said.

“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 Ronald Koeman destroyed me the first time I came here in a 4-0, with (Romelu) Lukaku, I remember perfectly.

Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman scored their first goals for the club during that memorable Goodison clash.

Guardiola recognises how difficult it is to win at Goodison

Since Moyes returned to the club in January, Everton have been one of the best teams in the country, as evinced by the form table.

#TEAMPWDLGFGAGDPTS
1Liverpool1393127121530
2Aston Villa137422315825
3Man City1373328151324
4Newcastle138052822624
5Arsenal12651189923
6Crystal Palace137242017323
7Everton145631915421

Had the season started when Dyche was replaced, Everton would’ve been genuine challengers for Europe.

That said, Guardiola recognised how good a win it was on Saturday, as he referenced the fact Liverpool and Arsenal failed to pick up maximum points at Goodison this season.

“Liverpool could not win (here), Arsenal neither. It’s a massively important (win),” the Spaniard told reporters.

For Everton, the focus now turns towards Chelsea next Saturday, as they make the trip down to the capital.