FODEN FEELS FANS’ HOPES

PHIL FODEN was feeling the pressure of a nation when he stepped out for his first start at a World Cup.

After the goalless draw with the USA, fans had been clamouring for the Manchester City star to start.

The midfielder, 22, was aware of how much expectation he was carrying.

He said: “I felt a bit of pressure going into the Wales game because everyone was pushing for me to play. I just tried to play my normal game.” Foden, right, blazed a good chance over in the first half but his jinking run early in the second period earned the free-kick from which Marcus Rashford set England on their way.

One minute later, he was in the perfect place to convert Harry Kane’s low cross for the second goal to set off fans’ celebrations.

Foden told the FA’s official Lions’ Den YouTube channel: “It’s so good to see the reactions of the fans in the Box Parks. We can tell in camp how important it is for the fans to see us score and the scenes back home are incredible. “And the stadium felt compact so we could hear the England fans singing all game. They drove us on from the first minute. It was a special game to play in and something I will never forget.”

For all the buoyant feeling, the Three Lions are keen to keep their feet on the ground and, as in the group stage, they are taking nothing for granted.

Foden said: “There’s no easy game in the World Cup. We were almost through before the Wales game but we said how important it was to make sure we won the group and be confident going into the next game. The camp is on a real high at the moment.

“But we don’t know too much about Senegal. We need to analyse and review, to see what they do and what they’re good at and make sure we’re ready for the game.”