Koeman: Clean sheet at Manchester City could take a miracle

Everton is yet to concede a goal through four competitive games this season. The Toffees produced two clean sheets against MFK Ruzomberok, one against Stoke City, and one against HNK Hajduk Split, and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was signed for a club-record fee reportedly valued at £45 million, is yet to debut for the club.

In order to keep a fifth clean sheet, Everton will have to keep Manchester City off the scoreboard at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking the day before the match, Ronald Koeman admitted a miracle might be needed to do so.

Asked whether Jordan Pickford would find it easy to collect another clean sheet, Koeman answered, according to the Guardian's Andy Hunter: "If we get a clean sheet on Monday I don't know if it will be a miracle. Maybe it will but we do know we are strong defensively, our defensive organisation is strong. The key to getting a good result is what we do when we have the ball and that's what our preparation will be about. You have different ways to play, we will look at the best way to get a good result."

Pickford, who joined Everton in a deal potentially worth £30 million, is earning a reputation for being an organiser putting the Toffees' defence in order.

Asked about the responsibility, Pickford told the club's website: "No, (I'm not intimidated). It's part of the job as a 'keeper and as long as I'm organising, then I'm helping the lads in front of me because I can see more of the pitch in front of me.

"If someone makes a run off their shoulder and I let them know then the lads will give me a thumbs up. It feels natural (to lead). That's why I went on loan when I was 17 years old and I did it straightaway. As a 'keeper I think it's part of the job. If you're quiet as a 'keeper then it might make problems but I feel if you do it in the right way week-in, week-out and you know the lads and they know what to expect from you then it will all work out."

Everton earned a 1-1 draw at City in the Premier League last season and beat the Citizens 4-0 at Goodison Park. Two penalty kicks were saved by Maarten Stekelenburg in the former.