Foden Shines as City Beat Oxford

It seems a long time since we have had the pleasure of watching Manchester City play at a ground with just three stands.

Oxford United’s ground had a six foot fence followed by a car park behind one of the goals. In scenes reminiscent of days gone by, local youths stood atop parked cars to peer at the spectacle of the reigning Premier League Champions slumber past their side in second gear.

Pep Guardiola made ten changes to the side which started against Cardiff City at the weekend, retaining only the services of Nicolas Otamendi in his starting 11. Whilst there had been much speculation about how many of the youth players would be given an opportunity, Guardiola named a relatively conservative side which was focused on chances for fringe players.

Muric started in goal in front of a back four of Zinchenko, Kompany, Otamendi and Danilo. This was Danilo’s first start since the World Cup and it was a useful run out against an opposition who threatened little, although it could be said Danilo did take one for the team in the second half – receiving a yellow card for halting a break by the opposition.

The midfield gave another chance to see John Stones employed in defensive midfield, alongside David Silva and Phil Foden. Attack saw Gabriel Jesus flanked by Brahim Diaz and Riyad Mahrez.

City knocked the ball around throughout the game but struggled to achieve the intensity and speed we have seen. Its not surprising given the wholesale changes to the side but much of the match felt laboured – reminding me of whiling away the hours at work with one eye on the clock.

Oxford were reserved and reticent for much of the first half and slowly realised City were not at top gear and there was nothing to fear. Renewed courage amongst the Oxford side saw them move out, run at speed and attempt to close down. I am sure if Oxford played like this every week they would be much higher up the league and despite the eventual result there was much for their manager, Karl Robinson, to be proud of.

City threatened on a few occasions before Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring. Jesus had an earlier effort disallowed for being offside but the decision appeared a close call. The breakthrough came when Phil Foden spread a delightful cross field pass to Brahim Diaz whose deflected cross was headed in by Jesus at close range.

Even in second gear City had too much quality for Oxford. Foden danced through the midfield, often at will. He has a natural ability which I have not seen in an English player for a long time. He looks comfortable on the ball and seems to have some kind of inbuilt sonar device to allow him to hover around the pitch, innately picking space and creating time on the ball.

He looks a real talent who seems to improve every single week. Having watched England at first hand in the World Cup all summer, we are all aware of how much England need a natural ball player in their team. It seems increasingly likely Foden will be the great hope of English football in the years to come.

The second goal again came from the 18-year-old. Oxford were caught in a rare foray into the City penalty area and the play was quickly reversed. Foden launched a wonderfully timed and weighted pass up field.

The pass was similar to those passes from Kevin de Bruyne last season because the weight of the ball and the curve on the pass took out the defenders, Riyad Mahrez was released and he emphatically spat a shot into the goal.

Three further things of note happened in the match. Firstly Brahim Diaz was substituted after what looked like an injury. He had been skilful and industrious throughout the game. He looks an exciting prospect who would fit into any top side. If anything he is simply unlucky to be in the same youth cohort as Foden, who on this performance is over shadowing him at the moment.

Secondly Foden missed an opportunity to score. Sterling who had replaced Diaz, fired a cross leaving Foden free at the far post. He took the shot with his right foot and the ball spooned over. I thought Foden had missed his chance to cement his performance with a goal. Foden was unaffected by the miss. His head did not drop. That is the sign of a real player.

Thirdly Foden did indeed get his goal. In the 92 minute he was again released by Sterling. This time he hit his crisp shot with his left foot, smacking it across the keeper and into the goal. Foden, who supports Man City and has been at the club since he was 7 years old, had opened his goal account for the Champions.

He shut his eyes, swung his arms and went into a knee slide in front of the City fans who sang his name. There was unbridled joy on his face in those moments which paints more pictures than any words I can spin. This match belonged to Foden who looks very much like he has arrived.