Gary Neville believes Manchester City have a player who is making something he found difficult look easy.
Manchester City won their third straight Manchester derby on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
Phil Foden was the star of the show as he inspired City’s comeback after Marcus Rashford’s wonder striker gave the visitors a shock lead.
With Erling Haaland missing a sitter and Andre Onana making several saves, Foden took it upon himself to drag City back into it.
The 23-year-old blasted home the equaliser in the second half with his own screamer before a neat finish gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead.
Haaland made up for his earlier miss to secure the win with a third in stoppage time.
Gary Neville was one of many to sing Foden’s praises after the game and he was particularly impressed by how composed he was in a derby, something he at times found challenging as a homegrown player.
Gary Neville admires one Phil Foden quality
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, the former United man said: “Derby games, Liverpool games for United, were always emotion games.
“And I felt it was difficult for homegrown players to really keep clam but he’s so cold.
“He just looks completely not phased by anything. His temperament is amazing.
“Today he’s single-handedly gone and got City back into that game with what is a world-class strike to start with.
“But the little one-two around Casemiro, who falls for it and can’t get near him, is brilliant. Simple but beautiful.”
Nerves of steel
It’s easy to be so calm when you have already done all there is in the game.
Foden might still be in his early 20s but he has already won all there is to win in club football, in most cases multiple times over.
He has been in Guardiola’s first-team squad for six years already and you don’t stay there if you don’t have the right attitude, as well as incredible ability.
Foden has stepped up his levels massively this year and kept City going when Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were sidelined.
It’s his best season yet and there’s plenty more to come.
