Phil Foden initiated Manchester City’s comeback, levelling the score in the 53rd minute, followed by Julian Alvarez’s penalty and a late strike by Bernardo Silva, securing a 3-1 victory at Everton and reinstating the defending champions into the Premier League’s top four.

Guardiola, wearing a smile, hailed their world champion status, vowing to reinforce their standard daily after a distracting Club World Cup trip. Although the journey allowed rivals Liverpool and Arsenal to widen the gap, City’s refocused aim of clinching a historic fourth straight Premier League title was evident in this crucial win, reasserting their presence despite recent struggles.

“That’s why we’re the world champions. The best team in the world,” Guardiola said with a smile in a post-game interview on Amazon Prime. “Now I’m going to remind them every day. We have a standard to keep.”

City, trailing Liverpool by five points with a game in hand, faces a challenge from Arsenal, potentially trailing by six points if Arsenal beats West Ham.

Reflecting on City’s recent form, Guardiola remained optimistic, despite Erling Haaland’s absence and concerns over John Stones’ injury, emphasizing the team’s resilience against Everton, a team that had defeated Newcastle and Chelsea in previous home games.

Chelsea secured a rare home victory, edging past Crystal Palace 2-1 with Noni Madueke’s late penalty, marking only their sixth home league win in the year. Mauricio Pochettino’s youthful squad, plagued by injuries and suspensions, struggled to convert possession into goals, highlighting the team’s inconsistent form compared to preseason expectations.

Meanwhile, Brentford faced a troubling phase, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against Wolverhampton due to defensive lapses. Hwang Hee-chan capitalized on Brentford’s errors, scoring twice as Thomas Frank’s team suffered a sixth loss in seven games. Despite the performance, Frank remained hopeful, acknowledging the need to rectify mistakes and regain momentum to steer clear of the relegation zone.

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