Everton boss Sean Dyche has cautioned against taking a faltering Manchester City lightly, acknowledging the Toffees' improved form but highlighting City's potential for a turnaround. Dyche praised the work he and his team have done to rectify their early season woes, while pointing out that even Pep Guardiola's formidable side are not immune to the challenges of the game.
"They’ve 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 commented. "I don’t know all of Pep’s history, but I think it’s unlikely he’s had too many spells like this.
"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."
Reflecting on his own squad, Dyche noted: "We’re in the process of correcting somewhat what we were doing. We still need to win more games, obviously, and score more goals."
With Everton set to visit the Etihad on Boxing Day, Dyche emphasised the importance of a strong performance: "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 certainly is not a terrible manager.
"You’ve got to be guarded, but we’ve got to equally believe in what we’re doing and the strength of our performances.
"We’ve got to have all the tactical discipline we’ve been showing and forge as many chances as we can to win it."
Despite the setback of Ashley Young's suspension due to a fifth yellow card, Dyche sees an opportunity for Seamus Coleman, who is set to make his first start since August after battling injuries. Dyche praised Coleman's commitment: "He’s been very unlucky this season.
"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."
Despite limited playtime this season, Dyche is confident in Coleman's professionalism and ability: "Yes, he’d probably have liked to have played more this season, but with his depth of experience and his game knowledge, that’s certainly favourable to be putting a player in and the strength of professionalism that he has.
"I’ve got no doubt in his ability to play and get back to true fitness."