Manchester City made it two wins in two games in the Premier League – and it was the Phil Foden show against Newcastle United.
Pep Guardiola’s side, no doubt slightly jaded from playing against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night, defeated the Magpies thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez in the first-half.
It was a fantastic result for City, against a top side who will be challenging at the top of the table in the coming years.
This morning, many people are talking about the performance of Foden at the Etihad.
The England international was handed a role in central attacking midfield.
And he thrived in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
Peter Crouch believes Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League at taking the ball on the half-turn
Watching Foden last night against Newcastle was a joy. It was even for Toon legend Alan Shearer, who couldn’t help but rave over him on last night’s Match of the Day.
He played with such confidence, and Pep must have been utterly delighted.
Last season was tricky for him, but hopefully he can now kick on from this display.
During the coverage of the game on TNT Sports yesterday, the pundits were gushing over Foden at half-time.
And Crouch went as far as to say that there is one thing that no one in the Premier League else comes close to Foden at.
Rio Ferdinand was speaking about the 23-year-old, saying: “The awareness… Crouchy you know how difficult it is to get on the half-turn like that when you’ve got players all around you…”
Crouch responded: “You know what Rio, I think he’s the best in the league at getting on that half-turn and turning and getting at defences.
“When it did click, it was perfect. He’s the perfect man in that position.
“We asked him before the game to step up and play in those central areas and kind of take the bull by the horns and replace De Bruyne… I feel like he’s done that this half.”
Peter Crouch may not be wrong about half-turn master Phil Foden
This is quite the claim from Crouch, but thinking about it he may be right.
No one else really springs to mind regarding taking the ball on the half-turn and then driving forwards.
Foden is an absolute master at it, and it should mean that he now gets a run of games through the middle.
His game intelligence is phenomenal.
You could see last night that Newcastle just couldn’t keep tabs on him, he was so slippery and elusive.
But then he makes things happen. As evidenced by the seven chances he created in the game.