Everton had the chance to draw level with neighbours Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and are still permitted fans at Goodison Park,with Merseyside remaining in Tier 2 of the coronavirus restrictions. The club said they"regretted the postponement"of a match they described as"a big one",adding:"Whilst Everton will always have public safety uppermost,we will be requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the club can be clear on why this decision was taken."
Although Premier League clubs are thought to have been told that postponements will be rejected unless they have fewer than 14 players available,all decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the Premier League board,who are unlikely to ignore strong medical advice in the current climate.
The League said that the rise in cases at City"created uncertainty"and that the board agreed to rearrange as a precaution after"receiving medical advice that the match should be postponed... The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority."City had announced on Christmas Day that Gabriel Jesus,Kyle Walker and two staff members had contracted the virus but,after the squad were tested again on Sunday,three more positive tests were confirmed,taking the total in the space of just five days to seven.
The Telegraph in London is aware of the identity of the latest three players to be affected but cannot reveal their names because of medical confidentiality. The trio,who it is thought have yet to show symptoms,will have to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
City fear their squad could have been exposed to the highly contagious new variant of the virus,which has become particularly prevalent in London and the South East,following the trip to the capital to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup last Tuesday.
City's training ground has been closed indefinitely and was undergoing a deep clean yesterday. Guardiola's squad - which stayed at home rather than in a hotel on Sunday night - will be tested again today to see if there has been a further spread of the virus amid fears Sunday's league match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge could also be compromised. Three days later,City are due to face United at Old Trafford in their Carabao Cup semi-final.
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