28 December 2023 , 08:00
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Phil Foden loves being Manchester City’s middle man – and that could give Pep Guardiola a big headache in the coming weeks.
With the mercurial Kevin De Bruyne a long-term absentee through injury Foden has taken over the baton as the central midfield orchestrator. He isn’t afraid to admit it’s his favoured role rather than down either flank so good luck on that Pep when the outstanding Belgian makes his anticipated return.
Foden displays extra maturity and leadership qualities in what he regards as a footballing upgrade when called into the engine room.
It also comes with goals and his latest a stupendous Exocet from outside the box is a candidate for December ‘Goal of the Season’ in anybody’s money. And you wouldn’t blame him if he took a video of it into Guardiola’s office once De Bruyne is back in harness.
With Everton pumped up as they continue to fire back at the football establishment it needed Foden at his best to launch the lifeboat to rescue his side. Instead of roundly booing the Premier League anthem before kick-off Everton fans should be cheering it to the rafters.
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Because since the 10 point deduction Sean Dyche’s side have circled the wagons. Forget Joe Royle’s famed ‘Dogs of War’ this is an upgrade – Dyche’s pride of snarling Lions ready to devour anything in their path.
A run of four straight Premier League wins only ended in unlucky fashion at Spurs on Saturday but undeterred they set about the newly crowned world champions who quickly discovered that a revved up Goodison Park is a far cry from the desert of Saudi Arabia.
There was no guard of honour for Pep’s aristocrats just blue blooded aggression. City bossed the possession from the start and there were chances to quell the gathering Everton storm with Foden at the heart of the Premier League champions endeavour.
Chances came and went and they paid the price when Jack Harrison, once of a Sky Blue persuasion, slotted in from Dwight McNeil’s inviting pass. Then came the Foden bullet and a penalty from Julian Alvarez proved that a unique fourth consecutive title is still on the cards.