Phil Foden is becoming indispensable to Pep Guardiola as he scored the winner in Man City’s Premier League win over Brighton.
The 20-year-old dazzled against the Seagulls on Wednesday night netting in the first half – and becoming City’s top scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions.
Foden seems to be making an impact in every game he plays at the moment and his goal tally from midfield is quite remarkable considering nearly half his Premier League appearances this season have come from the bench.
It also highlights City’s need for a new striker with Guardiola again opting to play without a recognised front man with Gabriel Jesus starting from the bench.
But that doesn’t seem to be holding them back for now as they moved into third place with a regulation 1-0 win.
City had the better of the first half and Foden gave them a deserved lead just before the break.
The versatile midfielder wriggled through the Brighton defence and struck with a low shot from the edge of the box.
The England international was giving the visitors problems all evening – including a piece of dazzling skill to evade two Brighton players.
The feet from Foden here!
A double roulette to beat two men…
pic.twitter.com/23b18ePLDa
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 13, 2021
City went close to a second just before the hour as Ilkay Gundogan forced a good save from Robert Sanchez. The rebound fell to Bernardo Silva, who turned and thumped a shot against the woodwork.
Joao Cancelo also had a chance to wrap up the points but fired his shot straight at Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
De Bruyne won a penalty in the final minutes of the game just getting a touch before being brought down by Sanchez but Raheem Sterling blasted his spot kick over the bar.