Can Cherki "The Boxer" knock Everton out and respond to Arsenal's title race challenge?
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 04.05.26. | 14:31
A win against the Toffees is a must for the Cityzens if they want to keep up with the Gunners, though Pep Guardiola's pre-game press conference was full of laughter rather than tension
During the past month and a half, Manchester City managed to overcome a nine-point deficit behind Arsenal and catch up with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table.
However, their obligations in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup caused them to be in the chasing position once again, as the Cityzens are again trailing - six points this time - with two games in hand, and one of them, against Everton, will be played tonight (22.00) at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
First and foremost, City have nothing to be afraid of, as they are on a six-game winning run, despite the immensely tough schedule they have had. Namely, of the aforementioned half-dozen wins, four came against Arsenal (twice), Liverpool, and Chelsea, showing that Pep Guardiola's men are ready for any challenge.
Nevertheless, pressure is always a contributing factor, and as the season's end approaches, it's piling up. That will be the Toffees' chance tonight.
After all, Everton nearly snatched a point against Arsenal in mid-March, conceding two goals in the dying minutes.
In the previous encounter between the Liverpool and Manchester sides, the home team triumphed at Etihad Stadium (2-0) thanks to Erling Haaland's second-half brace. Still, with all due respect to the Norwegian scoring machine, tonight all eyes will be on his teammate, the magician Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman has been exceptional lately, while his ball control, passing, and dribbling astonished all the football lovers. Therefore, it's no wonder he was one of the main topics in Guardiola's pre-game press conference.
One of the reporters asked whether there was anything about Cherki that surprised the Spaniard, and his answer made everyone laugh.
"He's doing boxing! That surprised me. I didn't expect it. Were you watching? No? I will not discuss with him. He'll play every game! It's scary!", the tactician said with a smile on his face, referring to the forward's viral boxing video.
Pep Guardiola: "In Instagram right now, @rayan_cherki's making boxing. That was surprising, I didn't expect! Have you watched it?! Go! Top! I will not discuss it with him, [or else] he will play every game. Honestly. It’s scary!" [via @HaytersTV]pic.twitter.com/3wqTzTdZln
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 3, 2026
And the Cityzens' fans probably wouldn't mind watching Cherki all the time on the pitch. After all, Man City, with or without him, is not the same team.
Five hours before the clash in Liverpool, Chelsea will host Nottingham Forest (17.00) at Stamford Bridge, trying to catch the last train for the Champions League.
The Blues are currently on a five-game losing streak in the EPL and haven't scored a league goal since March 4. Liam Rosenior is gone, and the interim manager Calum McFarlane debuted with a 1-0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Still, the Trees aren't safe yet, and as long as their Premier League survival is at stake, they are a very dangerous rival. Their nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions perfectly depicts it.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 35
Friday
Leeds United - Burnley 3-1 (1-0)
/Stach 8, Okafor 52, Calvert-Lewin 56 - Tchaouna 71/
Saturday
Brentford - West Ham 3-0 (1-0)
/Mavropanos 12 og, Thiago 54 pen, Daamsgard 82/
Newcastle - Brighton 3-1 (2-0)
/Osula 12, Burn 24, Barnes 90+5 - Hinshelwood 61/
Wolves - Sunderland 1-1 (0-1)
/Bueno 54 - Mukiele 17/
Arsenal - Fulham 3-0 (3-0)
/Gyokeres 9, 45+4 Saka 40/
Sunday
Bournemouth - Crystal Palace 3-0 (2-0)
/Lerma 10 (og), Kroupi 32 (p), Rayan 77/
Man.Utd. - Liverpool 3-2 (2-0)
/Cunha 6, Sesko 14, Mainoo 77 - Szoboszlai 47, Gakpo 56/
Aston Villa - Tottenham 1-2 (0-2)
/Buendia 90+6 - Gallagher 12, Richarlison 25/
Monday
17.00: (1.75) Chelsea (4.20) Nott.Forest (4.60)
22.00: (6.50) Everton (4.80) Man.City (1.50)
***odds are subject to change***