Everton to be Manchester City’s hardest game thanks to what Sean Dyche will do – Sky Sports pundit
Sean Dyche “will have a way to stop” Manchester City playing and will make Everton the title-chasers’ toughest test in the remaining games of the title race says David James.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Goodison Park on Sunday (14 May) with the Toffees battling to stay in the league at the same time as the visitors are looking to win it.
But with the reigning champions also having games left against Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford, James has singled out Everton as the hardest hurdle to clear as they look to stay clear of Arsenal.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News, via Football Daily on Twitter, the former England keeper said: “Where would City drop points? Theoretically Everton is going to be possibly the toughest, simply because Sean Dyche will have a way to stop City from playing.
“The motivation for Everton, you would say, is greater than City’s, simply because Everton need the points to stay up, City don’t need the win on order to win the title.”
Battle
Before this week there wouldn’t have been many who chose Dyche’s men as the trickiest proposition from City’s final four, but the incredible 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday (8 May) has changed things.
Not only did the points lift the club out of the bottom three, it will have given the players and the fans a huge psychological boost, and reminded those outside that there is fight left.
It is crucial that they back up that performance with another one in front of the home fans at the weekend, but given they picked up a 1-1 draw at the Etihad on New Year’s Eve it is certainly possible.
Just as matters looked to be slipping out of the Toffees’ hands the stunning victory at the Amex has revived the situation, and put the club in line for another late, late reprieve.
Safety from where Everton were heading into the Seagulls game might be an even greater escape than a year ago, but however it arrives this time fans will be desperate to avoid the drop.
It could be catastrophic financially to go down, and having given themselves more than a fighting chance as other sides around falter it is imperative to take advantage now.