Pep Guardiola reserved special praise for Phil Foden after the midfielder’s two assist display helped Manchester City close the gap at the top of the Premier League to just two points.
City brushed aside Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad, keeping their title hopes very much alive. With the FA Cup final against Chelsea looming on Saturday, Guardiola made six changes from the side that beat Brentford 3-0. Didn’t matter. The machine keeps rolling.
Foden provided the first half assists for Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush. Then Rayan Cherki came off the bench to set up Savinho. Job done.
‘Top class players make a spark’
Guardiola was asked about his approach to breaking down a stubborn Palace side who sat deep. His answer was characteristically blunt.
“We did not think or talk about what happened in the last game with our big rival to win the Premier League,” he said. “Just do what we have to do. I lived many times in this league and in Barcelona and Munich.”
The problem? A low block. Ten men behind the ball. No space.
The solution? Individual quality.
“Always against ten men and low block is not easy but I work from day one how to attack low blocks. I have to be in the right spot and forget about it. Good clubs, top class players make a spark, one player like Phil make the action, or Cherki in the last one, it’s no more complicated than that.”
‘Incredible runner and fighter’
Guardiola was asked specifically about Foden, who has shouldered the creative burden in recent weeks alongside Cherki and Jeremy Doku.
“Phil, we know his qualities. I appreciate him a lot. Incredible runner and fighter. In the final third, an incredible spark. I was really pleased with that.”
The manager then explained why tactical preparation only gets you so far.
“These type of games you can prepare but, in the end, you break for the quality. It is simple. We can talk about the managers, this and that, but after Phil is incredible in small spaces and make a great ball for Antoine who scores. That decides the game. The same with the chip in for the second goal.”
Marmoush and Cherki also praised
Guardiola was happy with his changes across the board.
“[The changes worked] because we won right? I trust all of them a lot. Sometimes it is for the way we play, sometimes it is shape. Omar is always there, the work ethic, the goals. We played really, really good.”
He also singled out Cherki’s impact from the bench.
“Rayan has incredible quality coming from the bench and making an impact. Kovacic and him make an impact.”
The bigger picture
City are two points behind Arsenal with two games to play. The Gunners have one game left. It’s not in City’s hands but they’re breathing right down Arsenal’s neck.
“We had to work, but Palace worked harder,” Guardiola said. “We were better. A tough team to break down because they defended incredibly well.”
The FA Cup final comes next. Chelsea on Saturday. Then Bournemouth away on Tuesday.
Win both, and hope Arsenal slip up.
Guardiola has been here before. Many times. And with Foden in this kind of form? He’ll fancy his chances.
