Phil Foden: We keep Arsenal on their toes, anything can happen on the last day | Football news
Phil Foden says “anything can happen on the last day” and his Manchester City side “keep Arsenal at bay” in the Premier League title race.
A much-changed City ended the Premier League title race for at least another week with a confident 3-0 win over a sluggish Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side continue to trail Arsenal by two points with two games to play and will not be able to catch their rivals if Mikel Arteta’s side remain intact between now and May 24.
Foden said Sky Sports: “We have to keep pushing and keep them standing. A lot of things can happen on the last day, I’ve experienced it many times when the game doesn’t go your way. We have our role to play.”
There were clear positives in the performance of Foden, who was making his first Premier League start in more than two months.
Little-seen Foden made a big impact in a rare start as his first-half assists put the hosts in front, who never looked back.
The opener was special. A moment of natural brilliance from Foden, similar to what he did in his formative years – when City last won the title in 2023/24. His brilliant backheel found Antoine Semenyo on the move and the forward fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp called it “the assistant of the season”.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go away, but the risk has to be taken,” said Foden.
“I want to contribute and help me get three points.
“I had a good part of the season, but I went down and struggled to find a way into a team with very good players if there are more of them than you.
“I had to be patient and train hard to bide my time and make the most of it. If you want to win trophies and titles, it’s about the team and everyone playing their part.”
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Jamie Redknapp on what Pep Guardiola might have said to the Crystal Palace players after the game
Pep: Foden is completely different
Pep Guardiola on Foden’s impact in the 3-0 win:
“These games are against the low block, they defend very well. You need quality, spark, talent, something that is not on the tactical board, not in the meeting, not in training. He gets the ball in small areas and creates something. Good players deliver; I am happy for him.
“This is a position he was not used to, as a substitute player, but I saw in the last game against Brentford who were outstanding. He helped in that situation. And when he closes the box, Phil is completely different.”
Should Foden be in England’s World Cup squad?
It’s been a tough season for Foden but could he be putting in the running time to make Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad?
During the March break, Tuchel admitted Foden was “struggling” and was not guaranteed a place in his 26-man squad, which will be named on Friday 22 May.
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Micah Richards says he will include Phil Foden in England’s World Cup squad, despite doubts Thomas Tuchel will make the same call.
Micah Richards, speaking to Sky Sportshe thinks Foden gives England a different option that could be useful at the World Cup.
He said: “As it’s a 26-man squad, there are certain games where teams will play a low block and Foden can open the door. Tuchel likes Morgan Rogers but in terms of passing and football brain I’ll take Foden. He doesn’t play well at times in England, it doesn’t work for him but he brings something different to the big squad.
“I hope he will get in but I don’t think he will. He will be in my team though.”
Foden brought the game to life with a long overdue return to form
Commentary from Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
Just after the hour, Foden had created five chances for his teammates. That total was one less than all the players on the park combined. He finished the night with two assists and plenty of praise from Guardiola, who has been in short supply this season.
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Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp debate whether this will be Pep Guardiola’s last season at Manchester City.
This was one of the few examples of a perfect performance of the smart, kind kind that Foden enjoyed during the vintage 2023/24 campaign. He balanced his duties off the ball well, making more defensive contributions (10) than any other City player.
His Premier League goal tally now stands at 100. He is only 25 years old.
Perhaps such a performance represents a late push for a England call-up this summer. Perhaps it was an indication of a team fighting for the Premier League title. Whatever the reason, it was a timely reminder of the great player that lives inside. I hope it’s not the same thing.
