Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola lavished praise on to Phil Foden after his starring role in his side’s 1-0 win against Newcastle United.
Julian Alvarez scored the only goal of a tight game at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but it was Foden who claimed most of the plaudits as City registered a club-record 17th successive home victory.
England midfielder Foden teed up Alvarez’s 31st-minute strike during a lively display in which he looked more than capable of filling the playmaking void created by injury to Kevin De Bruyne.
Branded as ‘dangerous’ by Kieran Trippier after the game, the 23-year-old’s was a class act in midfield, as he toyed around with Eddie Howe’s side from minute one.
Somehow ghosting in free pockets, Foden was a nuisance on the half-turn, creating chances out of thin air, beating defenders, showcasing his wondrous technical ability.
As relayed by City’s official website, the Catalan tactician was quizzed about the Englishman’s performance in a more central role against Eddie Howe’s side.
“I’ve said many times, Phil can play in all the positions up front,” said City manager Guardiola.
“He has an incredible ability between the lines. The way he turns and attacks the last lines – it is one of the best I have seen.
“Every control, he knows exactly what is the goal. He doesn’t need two or three touches to get in the right position to attack the goal. In just one touch he is attacking.
“Managers adapt skills to the players we have, or the problems we have right now. Phil, I know how good he is in that position, how good he is as a striker or left wing or wing. I am happy because I have the feeling he is coming back.
“Still we are not at our best, we still have to make a step, but that is completely normal in this type of period.
“Here the biggest difference is the team showed to me, and showed to the Premier League, we are ready to try it again.”
Coming off the back of their European Super Cup triumph in midweek, the treble winners were not at their most dynamic.
Yet with Foden at the heart of their attack, they repeatedly troubled Newcastle while successfully stifling the visitors’ threat.
Follow Us on Social media:
- Josko Gvardiol adoration, Erling Haaland’s penalty secret, Arsenal warning
- ‘That next step’… Micah Richards says ‘outstanding’ Man City star is improving his biggest weakness
- Roy Keane says Man City have a player who genuinely acted like a ‘spoilt brat’ vs Wolves
- Keane slams ‘spoilt brat’ Haaland after Man City striker responds to ‘League Two’ jibe
- ‘Very good footballer’… BBC pundit claims Man City actually have a ‘very unselfish player’ in £14m ace
- Pep Guardiola shares why he substituted Erling Haaland during Man City’s 5-1 win against Wolves
- ‘Built differently’… Jamie Redknapp just cannot fathom what’s been said about £51m Man City ‘phenomenon’
