Moyes aiming to tame City – again

David Moyes has warmed to the idea that his Everton side may have become a ‘bogey’ team for top-four hopefuls Manchester City.

But he admits City have improved drastically under manager Roberto Mancini.

Everton play City at Goodison Park on Saturday, having beaten them six times in their previous seven Premier League meetings.

Yet Moyes believes City have progressed over recent years.

“They have definitely improved as a team. They played much better when we beat them at the City Of Manchester Stadium before Christmas and I thought they were better than the year before,” Moyes said on Friday.

“They are probably going to be in the Champions League and they have the chance of winning the FA Cup so I would say that is progress and improvement.”

Having credited Mancini and his men, the Everton manager believes there are parallels to be drawn between Manchester City’s status in Manchester, and Everton’s status on Merseyside.

“I think in both cities we have been a little bit the underdogs so both of us have been fighting to overhaul the other team in the city,” he said.

“In recent years they have become one of the biggest clubs in the world so it will make for a good game.”

Versatile defender John Heitinga returns to the squad, and joins Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill who both returned in last week’s 1-1 draw with Wigan. Having struggled with injury problems for much of the season, Everton are only missing two senior players – Marouane Fellaini (ankle), and Louis Saha (ankle).

“Mikel (Arteta) has had another week’s training and we have John Heitinga who has been training for a week – so really the only people who aren’t available are Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha,” Moyes said.