Fabulous Foden is now key man for Pep
PHIL FODEN produced a performance that illustrated why he is fast becoming Pep Guardiola’s most important player. Foden scored twice after being employed as a deep-lying striker as the champions blew Brighton away with three goals in the first half-hour.
He was also heavily involved in Ilkay Gundogan’s opener and Riyad Mahrez’s final salvo, with Seagulls substitute Kevin Macallister bagging a penalty that Graham Potter’s men deserved for their refusal to throw in the towel.
Albion just couldn’t find an answer in the first half to Foden’s elusive running and intelligent passing.
And when the Seagulls stirred themselves after the break, he rolled up his sleeves and put in the hard yards.
Foden’s emergence has enabled Guardiola to nurse Kevin De Bruyne back to full fitness.
Brighton went into the game on the back of a five-game unbeaten run but at times they were chasing shadows. Even with Raheem Sterling left back in Manchester nursing a knock, the Blues looked in the mood for goals.
Jesus thought he had scored when a rapid counter-attack saw Gundogan free the Brazilian. Jesus’ shot took a flick off Sanchez and then Lewis Dunk stretched to produce a spectacular goal-line clearance.
But the visitors were ahead after 12 minutes.
Foden’s deflected shot should have provided a simple catch for Sanchez. But the Spaniard spilled the ball under challenge from Jesus and Silva’s pass meant Gundogan couldn’t miss.
Sanchez redeemed himself by saving at the feet of Foden and Grealish before thwarting Jesus.
But City scored again in the 26th minute – and what a goal it was. Rodri intercepted Marc Cucurella’s pass inside his own box and sprung Silva in central midfield.
The Portuguese timed his ball to free Grealish to perfection – and the midfielder did the same after luring Sanchez from his goal to give Foden a sliding finish.
Foden scored again in the 31st minute but this time he knew nothing about it. Sanchez saved Grealish’s shot but Jesus’ follow-up effort took a deflection off Foden’s hip.
Brighton rallied after the break and got the goal they deserved when Ederson inexplicably threw himself at the feet of Mwepu and sent the Zambian sprawling.
Ederson got a hand to Macallister’s spot-kick but couldn’t keep it out.
But City had the last word in stoppage time, when Foden’s industry and vision set up substitute Mahrez to fire home.