Now he is winning games – Pep Guardiola talks up Phil Foden’s impact on Man City

Phil Foden scored twice against United (Mike Egerton/PA)

Pep Guardiola praised fantastic Phil Foden and said the Manchester City midfielder is developing into a world-class player after his wonderful, derby-winning display against Manchester United.

Nobody expected anything other than embarrassment at the Etihad Stadium for Erik ten Hag’s stumbling Red Devils, yet Marcus Rashford’s scorcher gave them a shock half-time lead.

United were under the cosh for large periods before and after the break, finally buckling as 23-year-old Foden scored a superb leveller in the 56th minute before then firing City ahead 10 minutes from time.

Erling Haaland added gloss in stoppage time but there was no doubt who the star of the show was in Sunday’s important 3-1 victory for Guardiola’s title-chasing team.

“He is right now this season (one of the best players in the Premier League),” the City boss said of man-of-the-match Foden.

“He’s been the best so far. I always had the feeling he would score goals, in training sessions, always I had the feeling but now he is winning games.

“To become a world-class player at that age you have to win games and he always played good, always had an incredible work ethic. Doesn’t matter what position, he doesn’t complain.

“He lives to play football but now he is winning games. He played a false nine at Bournemouth and was unbelievable. Today after he missed the first chance against (Andre) Onana he became a little bit anxious. That is for his age, he will learn on that.

“But Rashford scored an unbelievable goal and Phil scored an unbelievable goal too.”

Foden helped the treble winners get out of a hole on Sunday after City fell behind for the 12th time in the league this season.

It was their first-ever