City, who last played against Manchester United a fortnight ago, picked up where they left off at Old Trafford with a controlled, easy on the eye performance against the Toffees and the boss was delighted with the display.
“It was good before the international break and it was good after the break,” said Pep.
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“Rafa is a master of the moments defensively, with a team that doesn’t want to attack, just defend, defend, defend and wait for the counter attack with Gray and Richarlison.
“We made a lot of passes and at the right moment attacked them and when we lost the ball were good in transition.
“We handled the moments in the game. I’m so satisfied with the performance after the international break.
“We were really good and I’m very pleased. We knew, the last time we played against Rafa with Newcastle, we always struggled a lot. We won by a small margin.
“That’s why it was so difficult. We knew they could play four or five at the back. That’s why it is important to move a lot.
“Today we were better, we conceded few, we waited for the right moments. That’s why I am very pleased. The performance was really good.
“We now focus on Wednesday and then after that, West Ham. We don’t stop and we will see our level at the end of the season.
“We have a tough calendar. We are not top but we are not far away.”
The Catalan was also pleased for Raheem Sterling who was a constant threat to the Everton defence and scored a fine goal to break the deadlock just before the break.
“He needed it and in the first half he was an important player going to the by-line and making passes,” said Pep.
“He scored a brilliant goal, with a great pass from Joao again. He made a good game.”
And on Cole Palmer’s full Premier League debut - operating as a false nine - he added: “It was difficult for the people who played in the middle, It was hard to find spaces. The striker is the most difficult position in the team.
“As the game went on he showed his quality in the final third. He made a good performance.
“Now he has almost 90 minutes in his legs and knows how to fight in the Premier League against experienced players.
“I’m very pleased with his performance and with the few minutes from James McAtee. He was very good too. Very pleased with all of them.”
Finally, full-backs Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker were praised by the City boss after another impressive performance offensively and defensively from the in-form pair.
“I think right now Kyle and Joao are in incredible top form,” he said.
“Joao, it is not the first time he has done something special. He has the quality to do it. At the same time, I have some words for Kyle.
“It is the best Kyle I have seen in our five years together. Defensively and attacking. Both have been so important for us.”
