Phil Foden, arguably Manchester City’s most distinguished academy graduate, delivered a masterful performance in the club’s victory at Accu Stadium. The midfielder appears to be recapturing the form that earned him the Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards in 2024.
This resurgence follows a difficult previous season, where Foden attributed his struggles and a 20-game goalless streak to off-field issues and a persistent injury. Now, the 24-year-old is thriving, having registered two goals and two assists in his first five games of the new campaign.
Though facing League One opposition, Foden was a class apart. He orchestrated the attack, and his goal was a hallmark of a player brimming with confidence, exchanging passes with debutant Divine Mukasa before dispatching an unerring finish. He later demonstrated excellent awareness to set up Savinho for the second goal, which secured City’s place in the fourth round against Championship side Swansea.
Manager Pep Guardiola praised Foden’s recent displays against top-tier opponents, noting, “When the team plays better, every player makes his potential, but it’s not just today. He can play in the pockets perfectly, but when he plays a little bit free, he gives you something unique.”
Pundits and teammates have also lauded his return to form. Former England international Sue Smith remarked, “It’s great to see him back and playing at this level. When he’s at his best, he’s unstoppable.” Teammate Rico Lewis added that Foden’s on-field success is linked to his renewed confidence, stating, “The main thing is he has his confidence back, and the goals come with that. When he is happy, he’s doing well.”
With upcoming fixtures against Burnley, Monaco, and Brentford, Foden will be aiming to further impress and earn a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. He has 45 caps for his country, with his last appearance coming in March.
The match also marked a significant return for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who featured for the first time since the Club World Cup in December 2023. Phillips travelled from London for the game after becoming a father for the second time, a moment Guardiola described as “good” for the player.
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