The Club World Cup appears to have done Manchester City the world of good. Pep Guardiola’s team returned from Saudi Arabia with their fifth trophy of 2023 in the bag and confidence, a fragile asset even among a group of serial winners, renewed. The champions’ belief and class ultimately overwhelmed Everton as they restarted their Premier League title defence in impressive style.
Guardiola led the post-match celebrations in front of City’s jubilant away support, seizing the opportunity not only to share their latest success together but to highlight Phil Foden’s immense contribution at Goodison Park. Foden, operating in the No 10 role, was instrumental in City’s recovery after they had fallen behind to Jack Harrison’s opener and lost John Stones to injury in the first half.
