“Since he was born” – Pep Guardiola praises David Moyes ahead of Manchester City trip to Everton | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has paid a warm and witty tribute to Everton manager David Moyes ahead of Monday night’s Premier League meeting between the two sides.

Manchester City head to Merseyside knowing that three points would keep the pressure firmly on Arsenal in the title race, with the Gunners facing Fulham on Saturday evening and capable of extending their lead to six points before City travel to Merseyside.

The stakes could scarcely be higher for Guardiola’s side, who have won six successive games in all competitions and remain in contention for a domestic treble.

It is in that context that Guardiola turned his attention to the man in the opposing dugout – one of English football’s most respected and experienced managers, who guided Everton to safety last season and has rebuilt the Toffees into side competing for European football in their first campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Guardiola: Since he was born, really good everywhere

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola was full of admiration for Moyes and delivered his tribute with the kind of deadpan warmth that has become a hallmark of his dealings with fellow managers.

“David Moyes, since he was born, has been really good everywhere and still has the passion at his age to train, which is nice,” he said.

The remark is a genuine compliment dressed in gentle humour. Moyes has managed in the Premier League for over two decades across spells at Everton, Manchester United, West Ham and now back on Merseyside, accumulating a reputation as one of the most dependable and tactically astute coaches of his generation.

His current Everton side will present a stern test for City on Monday night, with the Toffees well-organised and difficult to break down at home – precisely the kind of opponent Guardiola has repeatedly warned his players not to underestimate during the run-in.

Ahead of Manchester City’s first-ever trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Guardiola fondly remembered his previous experiences managing at Goodison Park. “The old Everton stadium (Goodison Park) was so cool, so nice, so British – I loved to go there,” the Catalan added.

What is at stake for Man City against Everton?

Monday’s fixture sits within a punishing run of fixtures that Guardiola has described as a “nightmare” schedule for his side in the final weeks of the campaign, with trips to Everton and Bournemouth to come alongside a home game against Aston Villa on the final day and an FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley in between.

Rodri, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all remain injury concerns heading into the game, though Guardiola confirmed in his press conference that all three are improving.

With Arsenal watching closely and the title race entering its final and most critical phase, City can afford nothing less than maximum points from Moyes and his side on Monday night – however much admiration Guardiola may have for the man in the opposite dugout.