Pep Guardiola hailed another impressive display from Phil Foden as City overcame Everton 2-0 at the Etihad to go top of the Premier League, comparing the England international to a fine wine that gets better with time.
[PHIL-ING IT: Foden - a man on a mission!
Interviews
Foden: Victory over Everton a step in the right direction](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/foden-post-everton-citytv-reaction-pl-18-oct-63896387)
Erling Haaland may have claimed the headlines thanks to his second half brace which took his overall goal tally for the season to 23 and made it 11 goals in a row where he has scored.
But Foden, who has been in sparking form across the past six weeks or so, was at his impish, inspired best once again against the Toffees.
His delicious ball paved the way for Nico O’Reilly to provide the assist for Haaland’s 58th minute header that opened the scoring.
Foden’s promptings also helped lay the foundations for Haaland’s second goal which arrived just five minutes later.
And reflecting on both the win and Foden’s latest fine display, Guardiola paid handsome tribute to the Academy graduate’s performance and enduring quality.
“[He is] More mature and everything. He is fine, he is enjoying himself, he is smiling and his body language in training is fantastic,” Guardiola said.
“The way he moves, he always creates something. The first half was more difficult because we couldn’t who was the man free but the rest was really good.
“Phil can make a step and play like he is like we remember in the past. Last season we were not in our best but Phil every season has been extraordinary. Always.
“You cannot play all the time in sixth gear. You have to use tempo. It was question of time that he would improve and not all the time can be explosive.
“You have to work and make the rhythm. Step by step he will be better.
“Like a good wine, with time he will be better.”
Play the video to watch Pep’s press conference…