Ballon d'Or Rankings: Messi begins making his move for No.9

Why Arsenal are battling Barca for Real Sociedad's No.6

Elliott for England?! Youngster stars for revived Liverpool

bet365 bonus code 365GOAL: Get Free Bet Credits in May 2024

Palmer purrs to help keep Chelsea's European hopes alive

📽️ | Greenwood walks out with mum Melanie to mark Mother's Day

Sorry end for injured Phillips as his season is potentially over

Ronaldo nets hat-trick to keep Al-Nassr's title hopes alive

'Difficult to see again' - Martino hails Messi's genius display

Dier left with blood all over his face in Bayern clash

'We can't accept this' - Forsberg reacts to Messi masterclass

Salah sets insane new Premier League record 

Ronaldo reacts to Rudiger ranking him as Real’s GOAT

Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Foden starred in Man City's win over Brighton</li><li>Scored twice to fire City to a 4-0 win</li><li>Has hit the target 24 times in all competitions</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Phil Foden reveals change that's sparked incredible Man City form after starring role in Brighton thrashing

Premier League

Fulham

Manchester City

Newcastle

Brighton

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-header-kevin-de-bruyne-man-city-pep-guardiola-brighton-phil-foden-arsenal-premier-league-title-hunt/blt9840d0bda37d62d9" target="_blank">Kevin De Bruyne initiated the scoring in the 17th minute</a>, setting the stage for Foden's dazzling performance. With two goals before halftime and Julian Alvarez adding a fourth in the second half, City's dominance was on full display as they closed the gap to within a point of Arsenal in the Premier League standings <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-city-player-ratings-vs-brighton-phil-foden-runs-the-show-in-4-0-demolition-as-pep-guardiola-s-keep-breathing-down-arsenal-s-necks-in-intense-premier-league-title-chase/bltf93ac262a05730ff" target="_blank">with a 4-0 triumph against the Seagulls</a> away from home.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Foden has been deployed in a more central role by Guardiola, particularly in the absence of top scorer Erling Haaland, in this campaign. This slight tactical adjustment has allowed Foden to thrive and he believes that this shift has been instrumental in maximising his impact on the pitch, enabling him to showcase his abilities to the fullest extent.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Foden said: "I have always said that I see myself centrally. This year I have moved inside and it has helped me massively. I enjoy it in the middle. It's where I want to be. At the moment, I am just enjoying my football and playing with freedom."<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/kevin-de-bruyne-explains-how-phil-foden-transformed-man-city-star-pep-guardiola/blt19a7785ff98beaf2#cs58bd1ce085308196" target="_blank">Foden's partnership with De Bruyne </a>has facilitated his growth and provided him with the confidence to express himself on the field. The England international acknowledged the role of his teammate in his recent success and added: "I think when he is at it, he is the best player in the Premier League. It is nice that I am playing inside with him and hopefully, we can do it more. We just want to win game-by-game and push for the title. We don't get ahead of ourselves. Now the next game is coming quickly. Try to recover and we go again."

WHAT FODEN SAID

Foden's two goals marked his 50th and 51st in the Premier League,<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/phil-foden-erling-haaland-lionel-messi-special-milestone-pep-guardiola-man-city-win-brighton/bltfb82a97e0baa4303" target="_blank"> making him just the third player aged 23 or younger to achieve a half-century of league goals under Guardiola's management, </a>joining the illustrious company of Lionel Messi and Haaland.Guardiola was elated with his performance against Brighton and claimed that the forward should be awarded the Premier League’s Player of the Year gong.“For sure,” he told Sky Sports. “But he wants to win the Premier League. He has said that he wants another title. His influence in the final third with the goals and everything today was playing better than the previous two or three games. It was a little bit more calm and the decision-making was really good.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Looking ahead, Foden is poised to continue his impressive form alongside De Bruyne as City face relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest in their next match at the City Ground on Sunday. With momentum on their side, Foden and his teammates aim to maintain their title push and knock off Arsenal from the perch.

WHAT NEXT?

Phil Foden reveals change that's sparked incredible Man City form after starring role in Brighton thrashing | Goal.com UK

Phil Foden revealed the subtle change Pep Guardiola made that has sparked his incredible form for Manchester City.

Editors' Picks