Manchester City weren’t at their best against Leeds and threw away a two-goal lead – but Phil Foden was on hand to spare their blushes with his two-goal salvo
Christmas is still a few weeks away, but Pep Guardiola believes he has his perfect present already. In the shape of a rejuvenated Phil Foden, someone Guardiola has described as a ‘gift’.
Foden rode to the rescue as the match winner, just as Manchester City threatened to unravel in a crazy game at the Etihad. Guardiola’s men cruised into a two goal lead thanks to strikes from Foden and Josko Gvardiol, only to allow Leeds back into the contest.
Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back, before winning the penalty which allowed Lukas Nmecha to equalise. City looked like dropping two huge points, until Foden pounced in stoppage time to break Leeds hearts.
Last season proved miserable for Foden, which might explain Guardiola’s joy at having one of his most influential players somewhere close to being back to his best.
Guardiola said: “This season has been the Phil we met a long, long time ago – the impact of that guy when he arrived at 16, 17 years old in the training sessions. Oh my God, what a player. It’s a joy, pleasure, it’s a gift to have him and he’s happy in his life. It’s an incredible pleasure to be his manager because he is open to improve and has the mentality and composure to say ‘I’m going to win the game'”.
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The man himself admits he is feeling fit and strong again, and believes he is now one of the leaders in Guardiola’s team.
Foden said: “I’m just feeling better about my game. I would say I’ve become more mature. I think now I’m one of the leaders. Maybe not as a captain, but on the pitch. I like to see myself as one of the leaders.
“Obviously, I’ve worked with the manager for one of the longest now, so I know what he wants and the standards he sets.
“I just try and help as much as I can on the pitch. I see myself as a leader on the pitch. Hopefully, I can help the team as much as possible. Games like this will definitely help my confidence.”
Foden insists he has his appetite back, following a campaign last time out which starved him of success.
He added: “I have the hunger inside me. I know I was frustrated after the Newcastle game because I missed a few chances. It was eating me up inside a little bit for the last few days. I just wanted to put it right and try and make a difference.
“I managed to score two crucial goals to help us win the game. That’s the kind of player I want to be.
“Deciding games and trying to be the player that people look to, to try and make a difference. I think it’s a good step in the right direction for me personally. It will give me a lot of confidence.”
Despite returning across the Pennines a loser, Leeds boss Daniel Farke reckons his side can take huge encouragement from pushing City to the limit.
He said: “We played one of the best sides in the world. With the best manager in the world. One moment of magic from Phil Foden has won it, but we should take lots of confidence.
“The performance should give is a lot of belief. A lot of confidence moving forward that we have the quality and fighting spirit to do well.”
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