GUARDIOLA PRAISE LIT UP LAMPS

FRANK LAMPARD wants

Everton to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City today and show they will not be intimidated by the champions.

But while the new Blues boss will not be overly respectful on the pitch, off it he has nothing but respect for opposite number Pep Guardiola (above with Lampard).

Lampard revealed that when he was sacked by Chelsea, the City manager left him a voice message detailing his admiration for the work he did at Stamford Bridge and his quality as a coach.

“It was very nice. I had huge respect for Pep as a manager, even before I got in the management game,” he said.

“So to have that contact with him which he instigated was a great thing. And it was a real eye-opener into what top managers and what top people do. I think greats have that, they have real people skills.

“So when Pep contacted me I really appreciated it, because that’s something which means a lot at that time and I look forward to seeing him in those terms on Saturday.”

Not that he will be ready to roll over at Goodison Park, with Everton in a relegation struggle.

He knows City will be tough for a side with fragile confidence, but said: “I’ll make it absolutely clear what I do want to see is the belief in the players we can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

“We have to remain positive. This is going to be a difficult game, but I won’t change my mindset if we get a result or not.”

Everton are still without Ben Godfrey and long-term injury victim Yerry Mina, but Abdoulaye Doucoure could be in contention, with the manager suggesting: “He’s a fit lad, and we need his energy and athleticism.”

Everton have made a surprise move in appointing Kevin Thelwell new director of football.

The 48-year-old is currently head of sport at New York Red Bulls, and was previously sporting director at Wolves. He will begin his new role with the club within the next week.