Foden Launches Fresh Start But Guardiola Puzzled By Lewis Red

Pep Guardiola was pleased with the first three points and bemused at Rico Lewis's 88th-minute straight red card for which the player will receive a one-match ban - at least.

- Jamie Jackson

Lewis protested yet the VAR upheld Ramon Abatti's odd decision: City's 20-year-old right-back swept the ball away and then - unluckily - booted Samuel Obeng's face. Guardiola said: "For the speed they go to touch the ball - for the Newton's theory your leg has to be a little bit higher and the other player was down. Rico has never had an intention to hurt anyone. It's a little unnecessary. I said that to the referee, he disagreed and he is the boss."

This midday kick-off in the Philadelphia heat against Morocco's Wydad AC offered a glimpse of City's hopes for 2025-26 as their Club World Cup defence enjoyed lift-off. It told us Tijjani Reijnders can operate in the No 6 or "Rodri role" despite being bought to scheme, primarily, as a No 8. It said City's high line remains a weakness though mitigation could be found in Rúben Dias and John Stones being substitutes only.

In Phil Foden's opener plus assist for Jeremy Doku's second we may have witnessed the start of a renaissance following City's season horribilis. And in the takedown of a first-half pitch invader, wearing a T-shirt protesting against Morocco's cull of stray dogs and cats, there was a sign of the high alert this divided country is on.

Guardiola said: "The first game is always important. [Foden was] really good. He's always there. We're really pleased. [Reijnders] is a really good player. You feel it, smell it. When he gets the rhythm he will be top."