Pep Guardiola labels Phil Foden the best player in Premier League after Manchester derby brace

Despite boasting 74% possession, 18 shots on goal and 12 corners in the first 45 minutes, Man City entered the break behind courtesy of a sensational 25-yard strike from Marcus Rashford in the eighth minute.

However, the Citizens' dominance eventually prevailed and Foden was the catalyst behind their second-half fightback, firstly arrowing a stunning long-range strike into the top corner on the 55-minute mark before slotting a low finish beyond Andre Onana 10 minutes from time to turn the contest on its head.

Erling Haaland, who missed a sitter on the stroke of half time, made amends as he sealed maximum points for Man City and their sixth Manchester derby win in seven with a composed finish in second-half stoppage time.

Foden has now scored 18 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions for Man City this season — his most ever in a single campaign — while the only Premier League players to score more non-penalty goals than City's No.47 (18) this season are Haaland (23) and Ollie Watkins (21).

Guardiola heaped praise on man-of-the-match Foden at his post-match press conference and was asked if he is the best player in the Premier League at present.

The Catalan said: «He is right now, this season, yes. Always I had the feeling he could score goals, in the training sessions, but now he is winning games.

»He has incredible work ethic, it doesn't matter the position he doesn't complain. But now he wins games. He lives to play football."

Guardiola added: «You see the three or four actions from Phil