'A lesson never to give up': Guardiola pride as City go top

Pep Guardiola saluted Manchester City's never-say-die spirit as the champions knocked Liverpool off the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Everton on Wednesday.

Guardiola's side were in danger of being blown away by Liverpool in the title race after a damaging defeat at Newcastle last week.

But Liverpool have faltered with successive draws against Leicester and West Ham, allowing City to get back in the hunt.

A hard-fought victory at Goodison Park, secured by goals from Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus, lifted City above Liverpool on goal difference.

And boss Guardiola insisted City's return to the summit was a tribute to his players' refusal to accept they were out of the hunt.

"Goodison Park, 2-0, we have to be happy. In terms of consistency, we didn't concede one shot on target. To score in the last minute of the first half helped us a lot," Guardiola said.

"We are not the tallest team in the world so we don't expect to score from set-pieces, but (assistant coach) Mikel Arteta works a lot on them. I am so satisfied."