'Don't have to study at Harvard!' - Pep Guardiola explains Man City threat with Erling Haaland & Kevin De Bruyne as he jokes Belgian playmaker 'makes a thousand million assists'

Haaland and De Bruyne started their first game together this season against Brentford on Monday after recovering from long spells out with injuries. De Bruyne tore his hamstring on the opening day of the season and has started just twice in the league, while Haaland had been out for two months with a foot injury. The manager had previously remarked that the pair made City more likely to win games but did not not make them play more attractive football.

"It's simple. They are players that win games by themselves," Guardiola told a press conference. "When one player scores 60 goals, it helps you to win games. When you play with a player that makes a thousand million assists, it helps you to win games. You don't have to study at Harvard or Yale to understand that."

City will be aiming to temporarily go top of the Premier League table when they host Everton on Saturday in what will be Sean Dyche's 300th game in charge in the English top flight. Guardiola has won 16 of his 17 matches against Dyche. "Congratulations, it's a good milestone," Guardiola said. "We have faced each other many times at Burnley and in his period in Goodison. When you achieve these numbers it is because you have been so consistent."

Everton were one of just two teams (Brentford were the other) to avoid defeat at the Etihad Stadium last season in all competitions. They earned a 1-1 draw against Guardiola's side, when Frank Lampard was manager.

City can make it 10 wins in a row in all competitions if they beat Everton. They will then turn their attentions to defending their Champions League crown as they visit Copenhagen on Tuesday.