David Moyes is not surprised at the instant success former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has had at revitalised Manchester City.
The clubs clash tonight at Eastlands in a Barclays Premier League match that will have an impact on who finishes fourth in the league and qualifies for the Champions League.
Moyes said: "Sven's record as England manager was as good as anybody, even if the media may not have liked his style.
"But he has gone to City, done very well, and got them playing good football. And I have found him to be a gentleman in everything he does, he has done a really good job.
"I must admit I laughed when I heard City being written off recently when they had a few poor results. This is a club who can go the distance.
"They have barely been out of the top six all season, and they can certainly finish fourth."
Moyes believes the Swede faces a similar task to himself in attempting to break into the top four, despite a massive discrepancy in their relative resources.
He added: "There are similarities between ourselves and Manchester City. Like us they have another big team in their city and they have had to try to overhaul them.
"But that is where the similarity stops between us and City. We had a model plan that we put in place to bring Everton back up the league and that did not include having money.
"It was about good management, good coaching and to wheel and deal a little. City have had bags full of cash to change it around in one fell swoop.
"That happens, we have just done it a different way to City. But City have had a tremendous season, they got off to such a good start, the points they got on the board in the first three months were an astonishing amount.
"They have dipped a little, but they are still there and we know how much of a challenge they are to us."
And Moyes, who will have Joseph Yobo back in his squad after the defender was rested last Thursday in the 6-1 UEFA Cup win over Brann, has also got high praise for former Everton centre-back Richard Dunn, now skipper at Eastlands.
He said: "Dunne has been outstanding for City. I watched him against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago and he was fantastic.
"Hopefully these days, that sort of player would not be allowed to leave Everton. He was then, and it has taken him a time to mature and become the player he is today.
"That happens. Sometimes players have to go through difficult times to realise what they have. He is a now a good leader and a good player."
