David Moyes, Everton coach, doesn’t hold back on praise for Man City, “They find ways of getting through the difficult times”
The Toffees still have a slim chance of qualifying for Europe but their home record against City isn’t great - Everton last won this fixture nine years ago.
Looking at the league games that remain for Manchester City this season, out of the five that are left, perhaps the two away trips - to Everton this evening and Bournemouth are the only ones that Pep Guardiola might feel a little nervous about.
Not that City have particularly struggled in the recent trips over to Merseyside. Their last eight visits to Goodison ended in comfortable wins and they’ll be setting out to continue the tradition in their first visit to Everton’s brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium tonight.
On paper, the Toffees’ home record against City doesn’t look so bad. During the Premier League era, in 28 meetings, Everton have won 11, City have won 12. The trend shifted after City were taken over and turned into a powerhouse.
Moyes’ Everton last beat City at home in 2013
Under David Moyes, Everton have beaten City at home in the league on seven occasions - the most recent was 13 years ago. He is under no illusions about what it will take to tick his eighth win tonight, against a City side that have lost just twice in their last 20 games in all competitions.
“It’s not unexpected that Man City are capable of doing that. I think that they’ve had a little bit of a change-around in the last 12 months and they’re beginning to get things in place,” Moyes said ahead of the game. “But hey, it’s always good to play them. They’re a really good side, tough to play against, great record over recent years, terrific manager so in some ways, we’re quite looking forward to it. I’m quite looking forward to the challenge. Arsenal and them have been the best all season - and we gave Arsenal good games in the two games we played this year so we want to be able to say that after we play City”.
In terms of form, the two teams are poles apart - Everton beat Chelsea at the end of March but since then, are without a win. City meanwhile have a mastered the skill of coming good just when it matters most - Guardiola’s team have suffered one league defeat in five months (to United back in January) and just four defeats on the road.
Moyes on City always finishing strong
“As an opposition manager to the manager at Man City, I’d have to say that they’ve got themselves in a great run, they’ve got good players - they find ways of getting through the difficult times and coming out the other side,” Moyes acknowledged. “They’ve done that, they’ve got themselves in a lofty position - they’ve already won one trophy and they’re in with a shout for a couple more really. It’s a great position to be in with three or four weeks of the season to go. They’re doing really well. It’s tough for us but in our own mind we know that if we can do something special it would help us greatly”.
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