PHILGOOD FACTOR IS BACK

Foden and Haaland provide sparkle as Pep's men stroll past Dortmund

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

A YEAR ago Manchester City saw their season go up in smoke on Bonfire Night, embarrassed 4-1 at Sporting in the Champions League.

Twelve months on, they could be ready to burn bright again.

Of course there was the Erling Haaland goal, the striker turning in his 18th of the season after half an hour following a cutback from Jeremy Doku (inset).

More unusually, though, Pep Guardiola’s side were already on their way to a convincing win against Borussia Dortmund that further banishes memories of their wretched run last season.

The opener had come from Phil Foden, who stroked home from outside the box with the confidence and nonchalance that he was doing when he was taking City to a fourth consecutive league title as the best player in England two seasons ago.

Physical and mental burnout wrecked that high last year, but he has been smouldering for weeks in a tweaked role as City’s dynamo.

Almost as significant as the textbook goal was the celebration, with Foden running to take a selfie with a fan.