Phil Foden put a frustrating period behind him with a goalscoring performance in Manchester City's 4-0 UEFA Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava.
Foden was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year last season as City won a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.
The 24-year-old then endured a frustrating Euro 2024, starting every England game en route to the final defeat against Spain but failing to find the net.
After a substitute outing on the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Chelsea, Foden was laid low by illness. Fatigue then compromised his return to first-team action.
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He took to the field in Slovakia still yet to start a domestic league match this term but turned in a sparkling display against an over-matched Slovan side. Foden clipped a fine finish into the bottom corner to give City an early 2-0 lead and also claimed an assist as fellow academy graduate James McAtee scored his first goal for the club.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola said: "He made a fantastic goal. He had chances against Inter Milan and Newcastle. Normally, last season that was always a goal. [He is] starting to not shoot [but] pass the ball to the post. The second goal was perfect for that
"I have the feeling that he's getting better, step by step. Phil is really important to us. We need him a lot and step-by-step he's getting back to his best."
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Phil Foden bags his first goal of the season ⚽ pic.twitter.com/E8Q7nXjrDS
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 1, 2024
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Back in the starting XI ✅
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
Back with a goal ✅
Phil Foden doubles Man City's lead with a 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 finish!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jeYyYH5YXW
The company in which Foden has put himself was underlined by a key statistic on matchday two, highlighted by Opta. The attacking midfielder has scored a Champions League goal in each of the past seven seasons.
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The only other players to have accomplished this, dating back to 2018/19, are Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann.
That's the bracket in which Foden belongs as Guardiola will hope for a prolonged run of top form with Kevin De Bruyne still on the sidelines due to a groin injury and Rodri out for the season.