It was a remarkably ungainly hack for a player of such style, the sort of foul seemingly more suited to the Sunday league than the Premier League. It sent Jean-Philippe Mateta, a big lump of a centre-forward, flying. Phil Foden had conceded a penalty, Manchester City gave up a two-goal lead and they headed off to the Club World Cup with their grip on the Premier League trophy slipping.
They came back from Saudi Arabia where Foden, all spritely brilliance, was arguably the best player on the pitch in the final; which, if the calibre of the opposition can be questioned, has a particular prestige of its own. He made amends on his return to domestic duty. Losing 1-0 at Everton, Foden delivered a leveller of uncanny skill, a performance to reshape a match; perhaps a title race, given City’s stumbles earlier in November and December.
