Fabulous Foden boosts morale
GUARDIOLA: LABELS YOUNG MIDFIELDER ‘INCREDIBLE’
Pep Guardiola labelled Phil Foden as “incredible” after Manchester City survived a scare to start their Premier League title challenge with a 3-1 win against Wolves on Monday.
City’s delayed start to the campaign – due to their involvement in last season’s Champions League – had allowed Liverpool to build a six-point lead over them before they had even kicked a ball.
Guardiola’s side could not afford to slip up at Molineux if they wanted to keep pace with the champions and they raced into a two-goal lead before half-time thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty and Foden’s cool finish.
City’s swaggering first half gave way to an anxious spell as Wolves dominated after the interval and they had to cling on afer Raul Jimenez got one back before Gabriel Jesus sealed the points in stoppage time.
Foden’s goal was a welcome morale boost in his first match since the midfielder was sent home in disgrace, along with Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood, after the pair invited local women into the England team’s hotel, but depite the breach of coronavirus protocols after England’s Nations League match in Iceland, the 20-year-old retains Guardiola’s trust.
“For the goal and in the second half Foden played incredibly well, he helped us keep the ball,” Guardiola said.
While City equalled Aston Villa’s record of winning 10 consecutive opening fixtures to a topflight season, there is little doubt Liverpool remain the Premier League’s force for now.
Guardiola was delighted to open with a victory given the shorter than usual pre-season.
“We could not run much because our legs are tired but in general we had a good game,” he said.
“Sometimes we need more time to get to our best condition but it was a good start to come here and win.” – AFP