Sean Dyche has called on his players to approach Sunday’s clash against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City with a positive mindset - urging them to remember how much of a “good group” they are.  

The Blues have illustrated their quality in abundance across their last two Premier League outings, following up a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Leicester City with a thrilling 5-1 success at Brighton.  

That victory on the south coast saw Everton climb out of the bottom three and two points clear of the relegation zone, and now Everton will chase what could be a decisive victory in their survival mission against Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off BST).  

However, bettering Pep Guardiola’s side is set to be a tough assignment. Although they come into the game in the middle of a tense Champions League two-legged tie with Real Madrid, they’re flying high having won each of their past 10 Premier League matches and look on course to land a fifth league crown in six years.   

Dyche, though, has called on his players to embrace the feel-good factor from their two most recent impressive performances and approach the challenge with a positive attitude.   

Speaking in Friday’s press conference held at Finch Farm, Dyche said: “It’s not easy, they’re a top side performing fantastically well this season in a number of different competitions.  

"I know they’ve got very good players, they’ve got a squad full of them, [Guardiola] might change things, rotate players. We can’t look at everything they do; we need to focus on what we do.  

“We’ve focused on that a lot since I’ve been here, some good signs, some not, but overall, there has been an adjustment in the mentality. It’s important to remind ourselves of the good players and good group we’ve got here.”  

“They’re a very good side, you’ve got to find a way of competing and if you do that properly and you play well then you’ve got a chance to win.  

“The rules stay the same whoever it is you’re playing against, it’s just you’ve got to get all the details right against the top sides, particularly because Man City will work on you if you don’t get the details right."  

While City represent a tough competitor, the Toffees will be buoyed by a return to Goodison Park after a pair of tricky trips on the road.   

Although looking forward to a return to the Grand Old Lady, Dyche was also keen to praise the unwavering support from Evertonians on the back of the great support 3,000 of them gave the team at the Amex on Monday evening.   

“During this process, our fans have been amazing,” said Dyche. “I have never questioned the fans they’ve been amazing since I got here. Home and away.   

“I always have an extra little bit of respect for away fans purely because it costs a lot of money, travelling, tickets and all the rest of it. Sorting your life out.   

“So, I always think that’s an added respect level because it costs a lot of money for these people and a lot of effort to get places, especially places like Brighton because it’s miles away. So, they got a reward for a very good performance.   

“We thank them for their backing.”