Albion boss Chris Hughton believes Sean Dyche should rival Pep Guardiola for manager of the season if Burnley maintain their form.

Dyche has steered today’s Amex visitors to sixth in the Premier League on a fraction of the budget Guardiola has at the Etihad.

Hughton said: “Everybody is looking at Manchester City and saying they have been outstanding and they have this huge gap at the top of the division.

“I think Burnley’s achievements are up there with what City have done.

“You have to do it over a season and it will probably be harder for the likes of a Burnley, the size of them as a club, to maintain it over a season than it will be for the bigger teams.

“But if you’re asking me right at this moment then, yes, Sean’s achievement is right up there with what Manchester City have done.”

Burnley kept faith in Dyche after they were relegated from the Premier League three seasons ago.

Hughton told The Argus: “I think there is a message there. A high percentage of clubs wouldn’t have seen the manager there the following season, having gone down.

“That is testament to Burnley and also the individual. When Burnley went down they weren’t out of sight, adrift of everyone else. They were always in it. They obviously saw enough in Sean.

“Credit to Burnley. They saw a good opportunity to keep a good manager.”