Moyes predicts stern test from City

Everton manager David Moyes is bracing for Tuesday’s visit of Premier League leaders Manchester City, a match he describes as a ‘big challenge’.

Moyes’ side are without a win from their last four league games, leaving them in 14th place on the table, and the job does not get any easier on Tuesday when they prepare to host Roberto Mancini’s big-money outfit.

“It’s a big challenge, they are a really good team,” Moyes said. “They’ve come an awful long way in a short time as a club have Manchester City.”

“I remember playing them at Preston in the league and we beat them with Jon Macken scoring a couple of goals at Deepdale and I think Kevin Keegan was still in charge.”

“They’ve come an awful long way in a short time, and in the recent seasons they’ve done really well.”

“They’ve got some of the best players from all over the world and they’ve got them gelled together and making a really nice team.”

Moyes believes the title winners will come from Manchester this term, but is undecided on whether Mancini’s men can hold off the championship experience of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

“I see them (City) having a big chance, they’ve got a 50/50 chance with them and Manchester United and I think it will go close to the wire,” he said.

“Manchester United have got history on their side where they’ve tended to hang in and be over the course before. Manchester City are a bit fresher and newer to it, so it makes for an exciting end to the top end of the league.”

Moyes refused to comment on his club’s attempts to woo Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic to Goodison.