The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Allardyce sees 350m reasons for City form
Sam Allardyce joked Manchester City’s “£350 million” transfer outlay might be behind their improvement this season as his Everton side look to keep their unbeaten run against Pep Guardiola’s side going.
Runaway league leaders City head to Goodison Park 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League standings and knowing they are on the verge of wrapping up the title in Guardiola’s second campaign.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager won no trophies during his maiden term, with Everton’s 4-0 win over City last January one of the lowest points during a season where Guardiola’s side finished fourth.
Asked whether City’s form this term was a result of Guardiola’s adaptation to the Premier League or his players learning from him, Allardyce quipped: “And £350 million ... that will have a bit to do with it!
“In all fairness, the money’s been really well spent. It’s a lot of money but it’s been spent on quality players over his short period there and I think those players have brought so much more to the team overall.
“We can’t be intimidated by that. We’ve got to go out and get our game plan in place and master that throughout the 90 minutes to get a result against a team that’s riding high. I don’t think anybody’s ridden high at the top of Premier League this far away ever.”
Guardiola, who is yet to taste victory over Everton, will be without defender John Stones, who suffered a head injury in England’s draw with Italy at Wembley.
Manchester United host Swansea with Luke Shaw expected to earn a reprieve amid speculation over the full-backs relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
Third-placed Liverpool visit Crystal Palace at lunchtime with Chelsea hosting Tottenham tomorrow knowing a defeat would leave them facing an uphill battle to make the Champions League places.