Foden delighted by his gameplay
SOLID: GUARDIOLA SAYS HE IS HAVING HIS BEST SEASON
Phil Foden said he is in his best form for some time after scoring a hat-trick to help Manchester City up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Brentford.
The England international has now netted 14 times this season and is enjoying playing more centrally than he has in the past under Pep Guardiola.
“Really delighted with my performances, delighted with the way I’m playing,” Foden told Sky Sports.
“Playing more inside, where I want to play, as well. (It is the) best form I’ve had in a City shirt for a long time, consistently.”
Victory took City to within two points of leaders Liverpool and with a game in hand to come.
The English champions became the first Premier League side to win four consecutive away games despite falling behind in all of them.
“We stayed calm. We are a team that trust our ability, we had to remain patient,” added Foden.
“Throughout we deserved the win, had a lot of chances and dominated the ball.”
Manager Guardiola said Foden is enjoying his best season at Manchester City.
The defending champions became the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive away games despite falling behind in all of them.
Neal Maupay fired the Bees in front against the run of play, but there was little doubt over the outcome once Foden levelled in first-half stoppage time.
Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland then teed up the England international to complete his second career hat-trick after the break.
“He’s a guy with a sense of goal,” said Guardiola after Foden took his tally for the season to 14.
“I think he is playing his best season since we are together. The incidence of goals and assists, of playing in this central position, are unbelievable.”
City’s rivals for the title may rue not opening up an advantage while De Bruyne and Haaland were sidelined by injury in recent months as they look primed to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English topflight titles.
“Those are the chances we need to take if we want to beat them – the best team in the world,” said Brentford boss Thomas Frank after his team failed to take their chances.
“It’s difficult no matter what you do against City. We did a lot of things right and there were key moments where we didn’t have the quality.”
City made sure of an 11th victory in their last 12 games 20 minutes from time.