Foden ‘best’ in Premier League

Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League and will become a Manchester City legend, manager Pep Guardiola said after his second-half double inspired a crucial 3-1 comeback win against Manchester United on Sunday.

City were utterly dominant, but still trailing to a spectacular eighth-minute piledriver by Marcus Rashford when Foden took centre stage.

The 23-year-old local boy struck a sublime left-foot shot into the roof of the net in the 56th minute and then beat André Onana with a precise finish after 80 minutes.

Erling Haaland’s 18th league goal of the season — his sixth goal of the week — rounded things off in stoppage time but nothing could steal the limelight from Foden who now has 11 league goals this season, equalling his record.

“It is the number of games he is playing. He was always a talented player, but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively,” Guardiola said.

“What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable.”

Foden’s quality and level of consistency make him impossible to exclude even in a squad laced with world-class players. His form also makes it unthinkable that he cannot be accommodated in Gareth Southgate’s England side.

“We don’t negotiate over that,” Guardiola said when asked about Foden’s defensive discipline.

“The guy who doesn’t do that doesn’t stay in the team. He is a joy and his work ethic is unbelievable.”

“No-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”

City are now unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions and will head to Anfield next weekend for a blockbuster against leaders Liverpool who are one point better off. /