Phil Foden hails Pep Guardiola's 'genius' tactics in Man City win over Chelsea FC

straight to your inboxBernardo Silva says his goal that broke Aston Villa's stubborn resilience and sent Manchester City top of the Premier League felt more important than usual.Manchester City had plenty of chances, but somehow could not convert and were heading for a nervy finish on a night that would end with them being top of the Premier League if they were to record three points.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was left hoping on Wednesday night that the injuries that forced Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne off against Aston Villa will not be too serious.Manchester City continued their good form, winning their sixth straight league game and ninth in all competitions to reach the Premier League summit for the first time this season thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.However, they had to make do without two of their starting XI for long spells.

straight to your inboxJoleon Lescott says he is "obsessed" with Manchester City ace Phil Foden.Lescott waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old midfielder following City's 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.Foden scored the only goal of the game in the 44th minute, showing excellent touch and finishing skills after being set up by Kevin De Bruyne.The England international is now City's top scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions, to go along with five assists.After watching his

straight to your inboxPhil Foden caught the eye again for Manchester City in their Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. The England international opened the scoring just before half-time in Wednesday evening's match against the Seagulls at the Etihad Stadium.

direct to your inboxPhil Foden believes Manchester City are back to their best as they look to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.Foden scored the only goal of the game as Pep Guardiola's side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 in Wednesday evening's clash at the Etihad Stadium.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester City defender Micah Richards has hailed Phil Foden as a 'superstar' following his latest eye-catching performance. The England international netted the only goal of the game in the 1-0 victory over Brighton, which moved City four points off the top with a game in hand.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has seen Phil Foden as a cut above in recent weeks in everything he has done at Manchester City. After not starting a league game between October and December, the 20-year-old has been almost immovable from the team in recent weeks with five starts in the last six matches in all competitions, and was the man of the match as the Blues beat Brighton.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola queried how effective the new protocols for Covid-19 can be in preventing contact on the pitch after Manchester City's FA Cup win over Birmingham. With more regular testing introduced recently across clubs following outbreaks including Newcastle, City, and Fulham, the PFA this week reminded all players not to celebrate with teammates at goals or swap shirts at the end of games in a bid to reduce contact and keep infection rates down.

direct to your inboxManchester City have joined Manchester United in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup.United edged past Watford 1-0 at Old Trafford in their third round tie on Saturday evening, courtesy of a Scott McTominay header.On Sunday, City comfortably progressed, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at the Etihad Stadium.Bernardo Silva set Pep Guardiola's men on their way with two goals in the opening 15 minutes, then Phil Foden added a third before half-time.With the

straight to your inboxRaheem Sterling's record against Manchester United since the start of last season stood at three defeats and one draw from five starts going into this week's derby.Sterling had started each game on the left wing, and failed to score or assist in any game. He is still to score past United in 22 appearances, and his quest to break that deadlock has been even more difficult since the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDean HendersonMade his Old Trafford career debut and saved well from Riyad Mahrez after conceding a soft goal. 6Aaron Wan-BissakaMight have asked Phil Foden to switch wings with his patsy, Raheem Sterling.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDean HendersonMade his Old Trafford career debut and saved well from Riyad Mahrez after conceding a soft goal. 6Aaron Wan-BissakaMight have asked Phil Foden to switch wings with his patsy, Raheem Sterling.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola asked his Manchester City side for the same level of intensity in the second half of their Carabao Cup semi-final win over Manchester United to book their place in a fourth successive final.City and United had exchanged blows in the opening 45 minutes, with both sides having goals ruled out for offside and both goalkeepers making superb saves.

straight to your inbox every day for freeMatic back?Nemanja Matic's renaissance last year started with his half-time introduction in the semi-final first leg against City. Matic plugged the gaps, scored the winner in the second leg and performed in the Old Trafford league triumph in March.The 32-year-old neutered Wolves winger Adama Traore and was an upgrade on a sloppy Scott McTominay against Aston Villa.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has suggested he will have to come up with another unorthodox attacking plan at Manchester United. Manchester City have played with a false centre-forward on a number of occasions during the coach's time at the club, and enjoyed great success in last year's Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford where a 3-1 defeat flattered the hosts.

straight to your inboxPhil Foden should be starting every game for Manchester City from now on, according to Micah Richards.Foden starred as City beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's Premier League clash. The England international has not been a regular starter for Pep Guardiola 's side this season.

straight to your inboxAymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake added to Manchester City's problems at Chelsea that meant Pep Guardiola failed to name a full matchday squad. Eric Garcia became the sixth Blue to test positive for Covid-19 when results from Saturday's tests came back, but because he was already injured and hadn't travelled with the first team squad it was deemed safe for the Premier League match to go ahead.

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola blasted Everton for their reaction to the postponement of their Premier League game with Manchester City and insisted that he had personally phoned Carlo Ancelotti to inform him of the situation.