Pep Guardiola responds to Sean Dyche’s ‘one rule for one’ comparison between Man City & Everton

Pep Guardiola has said he ‘knows his opinion’ on Manchester City’s 115 Premier League charges, but failed to be drawn into a detailed response on the matter.

Sean Dyche stoked tensions on Thursday by claiming the rules seem to be different for City and Everton, with the latter docked 10 points while City’s charges have not been dealt with a year after they were first brought against the club by the Premier League.

“Just like everyone else, we are all wondering what makes one rule for one and one rule for the other,” said the Everton boss on Thursday. “I think that’s the only thing. I don’t know the ins and outs for every reason but I think we are all asking that.”

But ahead of the meeting between City and Everton on Saturday, Guardiola was asked for his view on the charges brought against his side, allegations with the club strenuously deny. “I know my opinion about that. I have spoken many times. I don't have anything else to add so we wait,” said the Catalan.

Meanwhile, Dyche will take charge of his 300th game as a Premier League manager on Saturday, a milestone Guardiola thinks is an impressive achievement.

“First of all, it’s a good milestone so congratulations,” he said. “We face each other many times, especially Burnley, but now his period in Goodison Park. Congratulations. When you achieve these numbers it’s because you are so consistent.

“I have huge respect for Sean and the work he has done in his career. The way he plays, they believe it with the players he had at his disposal. We focus on what we have to do.”

Asked about the Saturday’s match, Guardiola added: “Last season we could not win and we try to do our best. But tomorrow 12:30pm, go to play a football game and and be ready. Since I arrived, Everton always took results here, I don’t know why, maybe because they are good, so we have to be ready.”

A win for City would see them into first place on Saturday, at least for a few hours until Liverpool play Brentford at Anfield. As for Everton, they approach the game in the relegation zone and are a point behind 17th-place Luton Town.