When Manchester City needed a match-winner up stepped their wonder boy

As second-half injury time began in Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, Manchester City needed someone to step up and win yesterday’s match. At 2-all the game was delicately poised. Daniel Farke’s side had shown tremendous character and fight to come from 2 goals down to level the game. City desperately needed a winner to pick up a valuable three points and it was Phil Foden who stepped up when his team needed a hero. Foden’s 91st-minute goal capped off a tremendous performance from the England international and it could be a crucial goal for his team’s confidence.

Phil Foden was easily the best player for Manchester City against Leeds.

There was no doubt that Phil Foden was Manchester City’s best player over the full 90 minutes yesterday against Leeds. His brace was crucial to his team’s win but his overall performance was superb.

Foden had four shots on target yesterday. If it wasn’t for a superb block in the first half from a desperate Leeds defence, and a fine save from Lucas Perri he could have scored a hat-trick. With Erling Haaland putting in a subdued performance, Foden was easily Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking player yesterday alongside Jeremy Doku.

Foden was good on the ball, and he played a key role in Manchester City’s first half dominance. The England international did drift out of the game in the second half as Leeds came at Pep Guardiola’s side. But when Manchester City needed someone to win yesterday’s match it was Foden who stepped up.

Phil Foden’s 91st-minute winner yesterday was a typical Foden goal. He picked up a ball from Rayan Cherki in the Leeds penalty area and although it looked like the chance was gone after Foden’s first touch, he composed himself to beat Lucas Perri with a wonderful low finish from just inside the Leeds United penalty area. Josko Gvardiol smartly avoided Foden’s strike and the goal was exactly what City needed. They needed a match-winner after a tough second half. It was Phil Foden who decided yesterday’s match. Big players win games and that is exactly what Foden did at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola had special praise for Phil Foden following his heroics yesterday.

Speaking after his team’s hard-fought win, Pep Guardiola explained that he was relieved when Phil Foden’s 91st-minute winner hit the back of the net. The Manchester City manager also praised Foden’s character. He told the media post-game: “I was relieved when he scored in the last minute and the other [thought is] that he is a big character. I was relieved, yes.”

Pep Guardiola also praised the impact that Foden had in the final third of yesterday’s match. He added: “At the end it was the quality of Phil again, a player with special [talent].”

“Out of the box he can pass the ball outside, make a run to the penalty spot and when he arrived sometimes he shoots strong, and sometimes just passes into the net and he helped us win the game.”

Manchester City needed a match-winner yesterday and it was Phil Foden who stepped up. Foden has been in good form this season and his goal yesterday was a crucial one for his team. Although City had to scrap and fight to earn three points yesterday, Phil Foden’s late goal may be a moment that helped settle the nerves and boost the confidence of his team for what lies ahead.