Phil Foden seemed again to his finest as he marked simply his second begin of the season with a purpose and an help as Man Metropolis ran out 4-0 winners at Slovan Bratislava.
The England midfielder made it 2-0 inside quarter-hour with a usually composed end as Metropolis romped to their largest win of the season, incomes their first three factors within the revamped Champions League group stage within the course of.
Foden has needed to be affected person in his return to membership soccer after Euro 2024 with a virus slowing his preparations for the season, however seemed again in type within the Slovakian capital, with a fragile dink additionally establishing James McAtee for his facet’s fourth.
Ilkay Gundogan had put the guests forward even earlier than Foden’s early strike when his deflected effort wrong-footed Dominik Takac, whereas Erling Haaland scored his personal customary purpose after half-time after latching onto a ball in behind.
That took the Norwegian to 42 Champions League targets on the age of simply 24, and moved him one behind Alessandro Del Piero and Neymar within the competitors’s all-time rankings.
Evaluation: Close to-faultless night time for Guardiola
Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker:
“It could not have been a lot simpler for Man Metropolis of their first go to to Slovakia, the place their largest win of the season simply understated their dominance.
“What can Pep Guardiola learn from a game like this? Not a great deal – he’s seen all of this before, although the performance of Phil Foden will be his biggest encouragement.
“Foden was thrown in from the off with the duty of displaying he is able to get again to common motion, and he left Guardiola in little doubt with a purpose and an help.
“It will have also served as a slight respite from some early-season nerves; City had either failed to win or been run close in each of their last five games before this whitewash in Bratislava.
“It units issues up completely for Saturday’s go to from Fulham.”
Foden: Nice to be back after slow season start
Man City midfielder Phil Foden to TNT Sports:
“I had extra possibilities to attain, on one other night time it may’ve been extra – however we’re delighted to win 4-0. It has been a gradual begin to the season for me, so it was good to get again on the market and rating.
“I’m feeling okay now, I’m back at it. It was that slow start to the season but I’m getting back into it now.”
Pep: Foden nonetheless not at his finest
Man Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola to TNT Sports activities:
“We said at half-time we needed one more goal and 3-0 would make it almost over. They started with a bit more courage, with four at the back, but after we went 2-0 up they sat back more like many teams.
“Ilkay [Gundogan’s] sport at Newcastle wasn’t actually good, possibly one of many worst I’ve seen from him however in his place, holding midfield, he’s actually clever and performed a implausible sport in the present day.
“Phil Foden is still not at his best, he scored a really good goal – pass the ball to the post, don’t shoot. He had more chances, but he’s on his way back.”
