Man City boss Pep Guardiola has hit back at Everton after a game between the sides was postponed when several members of the City squad tested positive for coronavirus.
The Blue halves of Merseyside and Manchester were originally scheduled to meet at Goodison Park on Monday, December 28 but the game was called off just hours before kick off.
Following the news, Everton made the following statement.
"Following a Premier League Board Meeting this afternoon, Everton Football Club has been informed that tonight's fixture against Manchester City has been postponed on medical grounds due to an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the Manchester City squad.
"Supporters who were successful in getting match tickets through the Club's ballot for the fixture are advised not to travel to the stadium.
"An alternative date and kick off time has yet to be decided but will be confirmed on evertonfc.com as soon as possible."
The club then released a further statement that read: "Everton Football Club regret the postponement of tonight’s match against Manchester City - not only for the 2,000 fans who would have been attending, but for supporters on Merseyside and across the world.
"Our players were prepared for the game, as were both the team staff and everyone at Goodison. Matchday is the most important date in our calendar. And this was a big one.
"Whilst Everton will always have public safety uppermost, we will be requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the club can be clear on why this decision was taken."
However, Pep Guardiola has now had his say on the club's response, claiming he favoured the Toffees manager's choice of words as he sent out a warning to Ancelotti's side.
Ancelotti has previously said on the matter of rising cases: “It is true that we didn’t have a lot of cases (at Everton), but simply we are trying to follow the protocols that the Premier League put in place for us. After that they (the players) have to take care not to meet people where you are not safe, not go to places where you are not safe.
“We are trying to do our best, but you also need a little bit of luck to avoid it sometimes.
“The club is really involved. The club is following us, the supervisors of the Premier League are following us really strictly. I think that it has worked here until now.”
And speaking on Wednesday, he addressed the City postponement: "The announcement was four hours [before kick-off].
“We were at the hotel but it doesn't matter if it's early, it doesn't change the situation which was quite clear. We move forward.
“The fact that we didn't play against City, we can have fresh legs against West Ham, it can be an advantage.
“The preparation for the game was good and we still have two days before the next game and I hope that we are ready.”
Guardiola admits he was disappointed the match was unable to take place as planned but says the Premier League was wise in making the decision to call it off. He also shared his hope that when the game does go ahead, Everton will be able to call upon a number of players currently out injured by then.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of his team's meeting with Chelsea, a fixture which is currently scheduled to go ahead, he said: "I preferred the statement from Carlo Ancelotti than the statement from the club. We would have loved to have played against Everton.
"Hopefully when we go to Goodison Digne, Richarlison, Allan, James (Rodriguez) can play and we will beat them. We would have loved to play the game but wisely the Premier League decided for the welfare of everyone not to increase the cases."
However, the former Barcelona boss shied away from the suggestion of pausing the Premier League for a two week circuit breaker.
He said: "We will follow what the Premier League says. They are doing an incredible job and have been since the first lockdown but it is unfortunate what happened with Newcastle. I spoke with Steve Bruce and he explained how difficult it was, more than 20 people infected and it can happen to any club in the Premier League.
"On BBC News yesterday, the situation everywhere is dramatic - 1000 deaths in a day. We have to be careful.
"We are delighted to play games and do our job but at the same time we cannot ignore the reality that the virus is here and we don't know exactly when you can get it. We have to be careful, wearing masks and socially distancing."
Man City currently have five players unavailable after returning positive covid tests, with Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus the only two named. Guardiola was unable to name the others but said people will notice big stars missing from his lineup.
A new date for Everton v Manchester City at Goodison Park is yet to be confirmed.
