FANTASTIC... FRUSTRATED FODEN

After shining against Newcastle, City star looked to be nailed on to replacé De Bruyne only for Pep to look at Eze and Nunes

- JEREMY CROSS

PHIL FODEN must have felt like the best thing since sliced bread last weekend.

The Manchester City sensation had pundits drooling over his virtuoso performance in a home win against Newcastle.

Even boss Pep Guardiola struggled to contain his excitement in the wake of what felt like a statement of intent from the England star.

It takes something special to fill the boots of Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to be out for the rest of the year following a hamstring operation. But Foden did just this to make people think the impossible can be possible that De Bruyne might not be missed.

He created seven chances, including the winner for Julian Alvarez, to stake his claim for the central role De Bruyne has filled with such class. But nothing is more fickle than the world Foden earns his living in.