Richard Keys believes Pep Guardiola would have been sacked after the loss to Everton if he had not been the Manchester City manager.

Sean Dyche’s team held the Sky Blues to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad on Thursday [26 December], making it one win in nine Premier League matches for Pep Guardiola’s team.

Iliman Ndiaye equalised for the Blues to secure a point, and Keys believes the former Barcelona head coach would have been relieved of his duties had he been managing a team towards the bottom of the table.

Speaking on beIN SPORTS 1 [26 December, 17:11], the 67-year-old said: “It’s one win in 13 in all competitions for City now. Five points from 27 in the Premier League. If that’s a manager at the bottom, he gets the sack.”

Sean Dyche relieves Everton sack pressure after Manchester City draw

Guardiola has been arguably the finest manager anywhere in the world for more than a decade, and while calls for sacking him feel absurd, the Spaniard certainly needs to turn things around at the Sky Blues.

Dyche was under pressure at the Toffees not long ago after a poor start to the season, but the Englishman has turned things around in recent weeks.

The Blues were languishing close to the relation zone before a set of tricky fixtures in December, and many of the Goodison faithful were fearful.

However, Everton have gone up against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in their last three games and have taken a point from each.

Dyche must be commended for the remarkable set of results, and his conservative approach to football has certainly been instrumental.

The 53-year-old head coach has quelled the noise around his future in the Goodison dugout, but it remains to be seen whether The Friedkin Group will pull the plug if things go sideways in the coming months.

With Nottingham Forest up next on Sunday [29 December], the Blues can’t rest on their laurels and must see off Nuno Espirito Santo’s unexpectedly successful team.

In other Everton news, an ESPN image shows what might have helped Jordan Pickford during the Erling Haaland penalty save.

Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi featured for Nottingham Forest as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at the City Ground, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nottingham Forest returned to Premier League action with a fixture against Tottenham at home. The Tricky Trees have been impressive this season, claiming the scalps of Manchester United and Aston Villa recently, and they were looking to continue their run.

Super Eagles defender Aina kept his place on rhe starting XI, while Awoniyi started from the bench. Tottenham started the game on the front foot, with Mats Selz making some important saves in the first 25 minutes.

However, Nottingham Forest had a big chance in the 28th minute, and they took it. Sweden star Anthony Elanga produced an effort from inside the box to open the scoring.

Tottenham probed hard for the equalizer, but they failed to get it. In the second half, Nottingham Forest were solid and stopped Tottenham for getting good looks at goal. Super Eagles star Aina put in a great shift at right back, registering three clearances and one tackle. Despite facing a lightning-fast Brennan Johnson, he was dribbled past just once.

Awoniyi was introduced into the game in the 87th minute, and he had an opportunity just a minute after his introduction, but he dragged his shot wide.

Nottingham Forest had an easy end to the game, as Djed Spence got sent off in stoppage time. It eventually ended 1-0 to the Tricky Trees, as they won their 10th game of the season.

Super Eagles duo, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were brilliant in today’s London derby as they helped Fulham to a 2-1 win against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge, Soccernet.ng reports.

The pair have been ever-present for Marco Silva’s side this season. Iwobi has played every game for the Cottagers in the English Premier League this season while Bassey missed the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield due to the a yellow card suspension.

Fulham had one win from their last five games prior to today’s game and needed a lift today to increase their chances of playing in a European competition when the season ends.

Raul Jimenez had the games’ first shot on target in the first fifteen minutes but the effort was well stopped by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez. A minute later, Cole Palmer broke the deadlock.

The former Manchester City midfielder took the ball in his stride after receiving it from Levi Colwill. He beat three Fulham players before placing the ball beyond Bernd Leno’s reach.

Bassey nearly equalized almost immediately. The Nigerian defender went on a mazy solo run, dribbling past Malo Gusto and Tosin Adarabioyo before unleashing a low-driven shot into Sanchez’s arms.

Alex Iwobi and Antonee Robinson continued to threaten Chelsea’s left hand side after the restart and their effort yielded fruit in the 82nd minute.

Iwobi darted almost 40 yards after the half-way line into Chelsea’s box before feeding the ball into Robinson’s path. The USMNT full-back crossed the ball to meet Timothy Castagne’s head. The Belgian headed the ball across the box to be tapped home by substitute Harry Wilson who scored his fourth goal off the bench for Fulham this campaign.

Chelsea responded with intent, and forced two stunning saves from Bernd Leno, but it was Marco Silva’s side that had their gifts unwrapped in front of the fifth stand on boxing day.

A counter-attack led by Wilson saw the Scotland midfielder produce an outside foot pass for Sasa Lukic. The Serbian squared the ball into the box for Brazilian youngster, Rodrigo Muniz. The 23-year-old striker controlled the ball with his right foot before beating Sanchez with a left-footed strike to seal all three points for Fulham.

Marco Silva’s side are now level on points with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and could go as high as 5th on the league table if they defeat Bournemouth on Sunday at Craven Cottage.