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Foden nets and Guardiola sure he's returning to best form
The Straits Times
|September 16, 2025
Erling Haaland capped a remarkable week with two goals in Manchester City's 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United on Sept 14, but the sight of Phil Foden opening the scoring was perhaps the most significant aspect of the derby win.
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The England attacker was voted the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Season in 2023-24 when he scored 27 times in all competitions for City.
But Foden's form vanished last season and the goals dried up and before Sept 14, his last Premier League goal was in January.
His struggles were one factor in City's troubled campaign last season, but there were signs on Sept 14 that he is emerging from his slump and the joy that manager Pep Guardiola said had gone from his game is returning.
"We missed him so much last season. We need him so much," the Spaniard told reporters after City easily avoided a third successive defeat in the Premier League.
This story is from the September 16, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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