The magic and joy look to have returned for a beloved Manchester City playmaker

Phil Foden had already put in a lively display until that moment. From the moment he set up Semenyo’s goal with a piece of brilliance, Foden’s confidence grew. His clever touch following a nice ball from Josko Gvardiol set Omar Marmoush to score City’s second goal of the night. Foden almost picked two more assists when he set up a header for Josko Gvardiol that Dean Henderson saved minutes after Marmoush’s. Arguably Foden’s best piece of skill came after that when his close control and exquisite pass set up Bernardo Silva for a chance that the Manchester City captain sent high and wide just before halftime.

Phil Foden, at his very best, is a mesmerizing player who can produce moments of magic at the click of a finger. That side of Foden’s game returned last night, as did the joy of playing well. Phil Foden plays with a sense of joy that few other players have. That was on full display last night, which was huge to see for Manchester City and for Foden.

Also, Phil Foden was everywhere last night, and his all-action performance resembled Foden at his best. His touch map below shows just how busy the England international was in last night’s match. All told, everything that makes Phil Foden such a special player was on show last night. Perhaps more than anything else, that was the biggest positive to arise from last night’s match for Manchester City.

As Manchester City undergo change this summer, Pep Guardiola knows that Phil Foden has a big role to play.

With Bernardo Silva set to leave Manchester City this summer, significant change will occur at City this summer. Speaking after Foden broke open last night’s match, Pep Guardiola said that Foden has a huge role to play in the future for his team. Guardiola added that Phil Foden has already made a significant contribution to City’s success. He explained: “He has to have a big role in the future,” he added. “We want the best for him and he has to deliver what he has done for many, many years. He felt how people love him with the standing ovation.”

“The first goal, the second one with the control, box to box – he’s a player with incredible attributes otherwise he would not be here for many years as an Academy player and win the six Premier Leagues and all the trophies we have together. His contribution has been amazing.”

There arguably isn’t a more loved player at Manchester City than Phil Foden. Foden has risen through the ranks at City to establish himself as a Manchester City great already. Although Foden’s form has suffered over the past two seasons, his quality has always been there. Last night Phil Foden broke open a match that Manchester City simply had to win. Foden’s ability to produce magic and the joy that Foden plays with was unmissable last night. That was fantastic to see, and Foden’s performance last night may be the display he needed to get back to his dazzling best consistently.