Phil Foden not only scored two goals to secure victory in the Manchester derby on Sunday, but he also assumed command of the entire game, enabling his team to secure the win.
Foden played a pivotal role in the game's outcome during the latter half. Manchester City found itself in a lagging position, contemplating the potential successor to Erling Haaland, who failed to capitalize on a clear opportunity. At that instant, Foden had a transformative impact and changed the course of the game.
His total performance was exceptional throughout City's victory, which they secured with a score of 3-1. Regarding his physical attributes, he consistently exhibited a lack of weariness and exuded an overall demeanor that reflected a high level of proficiency and mastery in his field.
Foden is an exceptionally astute footballer, and he shown once again against Manchester United that his ability to make sound decisions distinguishes him from other players. In addition to possessing exceptional technique and physical fitness, Foden exhibits remarkable talent as a football player.
From a positional perspective, it is imperative for him to possess the ability to determine the appropriate timing for dribbling, passing, and shooting. Furthermore, he should possess the knowledge of when to enter and when to preserve his width.
The player's versatility in playing across the line, on either the left or right flank, or as a number 10 in Pep Guardiola's team, particularly behind Erling Haaland in the absence of Kevin de Bruyne, has sparked a contentious debate regarding his optimal position inside City and England. Nevertheless, it is inconsequential as he exhibits exceptional ease and proficiency in assuming any of these roles.
Due to his exceptional game intelligence, Foden consistently attains the '10' position in every game he participates in, and he consistently provides exceptional results.
When occupying advanced positions, the primary criterion for evaluation is the final outcome, and Foden's performance has reached its peak at present.
The present season has already proven to be the most successful season in his career in terms of goalscoring, as evidenced by the accumulation of 18 goals across all competitions. Furthermore, he is making significant progress towards achieving the highest number of assists this season.
It is evident to all that he has undergone growth; this player has not remained stagnant over the years. At the age of 23, he has emerged as Guardiola's preferred player, owing to his consistent improvement since his initial introduction to the City club.
As per Pep's account, Foden is seen as a trusted individual by Pep due to his recognition of his potential to contribute significantly to the team's objectives in any given setting. This season, Foden has commenced a greater number of Premier League matches than to any previous campaign.
Hence, the occurrence that transpired on Sunday was not a unique event. Foden is demonstrating remarkable performance within a City team comprised of highly skilled individuals, and currently, he emerges as the team's most exceptional player.
Only those who endorse Liverpool and Arsenal are unsatisfied with his present performance, as they recognize the potential impact he could have on the conclusion of the championship campaign. Everyone else has a sense of awe and exhilaration in response to their observations.
It is highly advantageous for both City and England. Gareth Southgate, the manager of the Three Lions, was in attendance at Etihad Stadium on Sunday to witness Foden's performance. However, it is highly unlikely that he sought any more validation for his exceptional performance.
The impact of urban environments on one's well-being
Despite Foden's role in securing City's victory, I found United's strategy to be fairly commendable.
The utilization of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho's speed in wide positions was facilitated by the presence of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in sitting positions, Scott McTominay positioned slightly forward of them, and Bruno Fernandes assuming the role of a false nine.
The level of self-control, commitment, and defensive coordination exhibited by United was comparable to what I have saw from them in a notable match in recent memory. After United successfully scored their inaugural goal, it served as a source of motivation and a positive development for the team. While they managed to sustain a draw at Anfield before Christmas, Liverpool did not subject them to as rigorous a challenge as City did in this match.
Casemiro and Mainoo exhibited notable performance throughout the initial half of the match. However, it is important to acknowledge that the entire team exerted considerable effort. The most remarkable characteristic of their formation was their sustained ability to present a threat when engaging in offensive maneuvers.
Bruno's touch on the ball was exceptional and highly dependable, while the pace of Garnacho and Rashford consistently posed a threat due to City's high line. Both of these characteristics played a significant role in the team's achievement. If they had executed their final ball with greater precision, they might have been able to further widen their advantage.
Hence, United manager Erik ten Hag expressed satisfaction with his team's performance for various reasons. However, ultimately, their failure may be attributed to their inability to sustain their energy levels throughout the latter half, primarily due to City's superiority.
The errors committed by United on the back line towards the conclusion of the game were not attributable to a deficiency in exertion or indolence. Instead, they were a result of their fatigue stemming from the continuous pursuit of the ball, occupying voids, and providing defensive coverage for the entirety of the match.
United was subjected to the same tactics employed by most opposing teams, namely, the exhaustion of their patience, swift play, and technical prowess, ultimately resulting in their triumph. Manchester City's approach to advancing is unwavering.
The initial goal they achieved served as a remarkable demonstration of that phenomenon. Mainoo, who had previously performed exceptionally well and is a promising talent for the future, was positioned just five or six yards away from Foden's entry point in the first half. However, on this occasion, Mainoo was not quite present. Mainoo is an exemplary future star. Although the distance was not excessively long, it was adequate, and Foden's stroke is just incomprehensible.
The position stayed unchanged following Foden's second goal. Casemiro experienced a defeat as a result of an unexpected 'give and go' pass that seemed to be easily avoidable. However, it is worth noting that he has before encountered a significant number of similar passes. In actuality, he was simply fatigued; he had not experienced any personal shortcomings.
The factors contributing to Liverpool's ability to participate in the complete 90-minute match in the upcoming week.
Liverpool, the forthcoming opponent of City in the Premier League, is among the select teams that I perceive as possessing the physical capacity to engage in a comprehensive competition with them over the length of the match. To effectively counter City, it is imperative to engage in physical competition with them.
The team, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, demonstrated resilience by achieving a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium earlier in the season. It is anticipated that they will encounter no significant challenges in completing the anticipated 90-minute match, particularly given the anticipated physical fitness of key players such as Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Darwin Nunez.
The prospect of City's upcoming trip to Anfield next weekend is highly enticing, given the abundance of exceptional talent that will be showcased.
Personally, I am eager to observe their interactions as there will be a constant exchange between offensive and defensive strategies. While it is exceedingly challenging to predict the outcome of these games, I am excited to observe their interactions with one another.
The outcome of this game will not determine the winner of the championship, as Arsenal remains in the race for the title and may be in first place by Sunday. However, it will play a crucial role in determining the champion, and the Gunners will likely be fervently hoping for a draw.
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