In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City will need players to replace his quality. Step forward, Phil Foden.
The midfielder has been an important part of the squad for years, often doing his best work on the flanks but now he has the opportunity to shine in the middle.
Julián Álvarez’s goal settled the win over Newcastle but Foden was at the heart of City’s victory. Foden created enough chances for City to have won by more but poor finishing kept the margin to one against a Newcastle side who struggled to lay a glove on the hosts, who completed a 17th home victory in a row.
“This is the second game of the season but it is proof of the reason why we won a lot,” Pep Guardiola said. “The mindset and mentality of this group of players amazes me every time, surprises me every time. Against that team and the conditions, we arrive with a lot of injuries and no rest. They played really well, how they defend and how they run and the commitment of everyone was absolutely amazing.”
Positions and formations are an outdated concept in elite football. Foden started on the right wing but acted more as an auxiliary No 10, drifting in to find space and affect the game where he wants to. On the other flank Jack Grealish could be found in the left-back position when City had possession in their own half. Guardiola looked to lure Newcastle into a false sense of security, before allowing Grealish and Kyle Walker to attack out wide.
Newcastle accepted the best way to stop City was to have a flat five in midfield and afford little space between them and the defence. In the early stages, 10 Newcastle players could be found in their own box, desperately working to keep City at bay. Eddie Howe had organised his side well and it worked for half an hour.
The inevitable happened when Mateo Kovacic slipped a pass through to Foden into the space he naturally finds. The England international took a touch in the area and laid it to Álvarez, allowing the striker to control the ball and take aim across Nick Pope into the top corner. The goalkeeper got a hand to the shot but will feel he should have done better.
As Newcastle tired, more space was opening up for Foden to work in – he was showing why he deserves to be playing centrally. Without De Bruyne, City need a freeflowing and confident Foden to make the difference in tight games. He created a fine chance for Haaland, starting with a dynamic one-two inside the Newcastle half before slipping the ball into the Norwegian, who dragged his shot inches wide. The thought of Foden and Haaland being on the same wavelength will put fear into opposing defences.
“Phil has incredible ability between the lines; the way he turns and attacks the last lines, it is one of the best I have seen. He doesn’t need two or three touches. We thought for the way Newcastle defend we can find him,” Guardiola said. “We are not at our best but it is completely normal. Today the biggest difference is the team showed me we are ready to try it again.”
City are often slow starters in the league and are certainly a long way off their best but they have controlled their two league matches. Newcastle were a more difficult opposition than Burnley but were completely nullified, earning a single shot on target, an impressive feat considering Howe’s side opened up with five goals against Aston Villa.
“They [City] are there [winning titles] for a reason and a top team and it is our job to close that gap,” Howe said. “I was angry at half-time because I hadn’t seen exactly what I wanted to see. I know we can perform better so I am disappointed. You have to be at your very best to get something.”
