Dyche Refuses to Underestimate Struggling Manchester City

Everton manager Sean Dyche is wary of underestimating struggling Manchester City ahead of their Boxing Day clash.

Everton manager Sean Dyche has issued a warning to his team, emphasizing that they must not underestimate struggling Premier League champions Manchester City. Dyche insisted that his side will not be lulled into a false sense of security, despite City's recent struggles.

Everton has been in impressive form of late, with only two defeats in their last 12 matches. This resurgence has helped to offset a dismal start to the season, which saw the team lose their opening four league games. Dyche's side will look to continue this upward trend against Manchester City, but the manager is keen to avoid complacency, stating that there's “no chance” of his team taking City lightly.

Everton manager Sean Dyche is taking a cautious approach ahead of his team's match against struggling Premier League champions Manchester City. Despite City's recent falterings, Dyche is refusing to underestimate the opposition, acknowledging that his team must remain vigilant to secure a positive result.

Everton has been in impressive form of late, with only two defeats in their last 12 matches. This resurgence has helped to offset a dismal start to the season, which saw the team lose their opening four league games. Dyche's side will look to continue this upward trend against Manchester City, but the manager is keen to avoid complacency.

Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are experiencing an uncharacteristic slump in form, having lost nine of their last 12 games. This downturn has raised eyebrows, particularly given City's unprecedented dominance in winning four successive Premier League titles. As Everton prepares to face City on Boxing Day, manager Sean Dyche has offered his perspective on the champions' struggles.

Dyche acknowledged that City's prolonged success under Pep Guardiola has created a perception that their fortunes will inevitably improve. “They (City) have enjoyed so much success under Pep (Guardiola) over the years that everybody seems to be under this impression that it's when, not if, it turns back,” Dyche observed. However, he also noted that even the best teams and managers can experience challenging periods. “I don't know all of Pep's history, but I think it's unlikely he's had too many spells like this,” Dyche said. He went on to praise Guardiola's exceptional managerial abilities while highlighting the inherent difficulties of the game. “You'd think at some point it happens, even to the best, and he is arguably one of the best ever, but for him to have a testing period actually shows how tough the game is even for the top sides.”

The Englishman added: “The details, even for the top teams, if you don't get them right, then things don't work out for you. They'll be trying to correct that.

“We're in the process of correcting somewhat what we were doing. We still need to win more games, obviously, and score more goals.

“It's not like you go there and think, 'We're going to win just because'. We've got to go and deliver a performance. We've got to play hard, we've got to play strong.

“They haven't all become terrible players overnight. He (Guardiola) certainly is not a terrible manager.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche will be forced to make at least one change to his lineup for Thursday's match against Manchester City, as Ashley Young is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Young's absence will be felt, given his consistent performances for the Toffees.

However, Young's suspension also creates an opportunity for club captain Seamus Coleman to make his return to the starting lineup. Coleman, 36, has been hampered by injuries throughout the campaign, but is now set to make his first start since the end of August. The Irishman's experience and leadership will be valuable assets for Dyche's side as they face the reigning Premier League champions.

“He's been very unlucky this season,” said Dyche.

“When he came back for pre-season, super fit, we spoke about his other options and he said, 'No, no, I'm clear-minded. I'm going to continue playing'.

“He signed another contract and he held his end of the bargain without a shadow of a doubt.”