Everton anger as Manchester City return to training just days after postponing Goodison Park clash
Everton were left enraged on Wednesday when Manchester City were given the all-clear to return to training — just two days after the teams’ Premier League clash was postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests at City.
Pep Guardiola’s squad reported to the City Football Academy on Tuesday for emergency tests after five players and at least two staff members contracted the virus.
Those results all came back negative on Wednesday afternoon and the team trained thereafter. The site will be partially re-opened.
Everton are furious that Manchester City returned to training after cancelling Tuesday’s fixture
Carlo Ancelotti’s team were denied a match against City on Tuesday night due to Covid-19
Guardiola’s side are scheduled to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and the news of no additional positive tests raises the prospect of that game going ahead.
But Everton are amazed at how the situation has been handled, specifically a lack of communication from the League and City.
The Toffees are yet to hear a full explanation from the League as to why the game was cancelled despite City having the required 14 healthy players available.
Everton will have full sympathy with their City counterparts if it is confirmed that the outbreak was so severe that there was no chance the game could go ahead. But this latest development has increased their determination to get to the bottom of the matter.
Pep Guardiola’s side recorded at least seven positive coronavirus cases in the build-up
City will have further tests today and Saturday and said those results ‘will inform and dictate the next steps’.
Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker have been self-isolating over the past week following positive tests announced on Christmas Day, with three other players having contracted the virus in the days after.
They fear members of their squad contracted the mutant Covid-19 variant, emanating from London, during their Carabao Cup win at Arsenal last week. Gunners defender Gabriel has also returned a positive test.
‘Safety remains our No 1 priority, and the club will continue to proceed with great caution,’ read a City statement.
‘The first-team training buildings have undergone a deep clean over the past 48 hours, and the majority of these facilities will remain closed, with only essential operations around training resuming.
Man City returned to training on Wednesday after those not self-isolated tested negative
‘The bubble will undergo further testing in the coming days, the results of which will inform and dictate the next steps.’
A Premier League statement read: ‘In consultation with the Premier League, Manchester City’s first-team squad resumed training today in preparation for their match at Chelsea on Sunday.
‘Training recommenced following confirmation there have been no new positive cases after further testing took place on Tuesday.
‘The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its Covid-19 protocols and being able to continue to play our fixtures as scheduled. Manchester City’s postponed game against Everton will be rearranged in due course.’
