Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden put in a superb performance against Newport County at the weekend.
The 18-year-old scored twice in the 4-1 win over the League Two side as the Citizens progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
After the game, manager Pep Guardiola singled out Foden for his top-drawer display:
“Phil has to compete with Kevin [De Bruyne], with [Ilkay] Gundogan, with Bernardo Silva, with David Silva, but he’s a player who is ready – ready to play. And today was a good test for him, with second balls, long balls, he had to adapt.”
“He learned a lot, I’m sure, and he helped us to win the game with two incredible goals. We know that he’s a guy who [gets] close to the box and has this mentality to score goals, and he has the ability to do that. He was brilliant. He was top.”
Fans on Twitter were very much in agreement with the City boss, and are hoping the teenager is afforded more game time:
Legend in the making ?
— ً (@Huss_mcfc) February 17, 2019
Has to be said, looked absolute class on Saturday.
— Arran Price (@Pric3y) February 18, 2019
Manchester City’s future is safe with players like you. Future Captain of Blues!
— Vishal Tyagi विशाल त्यागी (@vishaltg) February 18, 2019
Huge game, wonderful personal performance, you should be proud of yourself, keep up the hard work, we are all behind you?⚽️?⚽️?
— Paul Gilks (@GilksPaul) February 17, 2019
Future City legend. Nice one Phil ??
— Jodie Louise Perry (@XxJodiexX75) February 17, 2019
You’ve earned a champions league start with that performance
— R⚡️??? (@rayrichmonds) February 17, 2019
So much talent ?
— ?dcera Ježíše Krista? (@farih_xiyue) February 17, 2019
Soon to be club legend
— Chris (@chriss1894) February 17, 2019
Our future. Keep working hard and improving, Phillo.
— Eklipse-CTID? (@dmedard) February 17, 2019
Brilliant performance
— Pete Fletch (@peterfletcher12) February 17, 2019
Foden’s second goal, in particular, was of the highest quality. Immediately after Newport came back into the match at 2-1, the midfielder dribbled past a number of defenders before hitting a left-foot strike to restore the two-goal lead.
With Riyad Mahrez completing the scoring four minutes into injury time, it made it look like a more convincing win than it was. In truth, City had to work very hard for the victory against a spirited opponent.
