On Tuesday, City defeated second-tier Bristol City 3-0 in the FA Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. Foden scored in each half.
This season, Phil Foden was in danger of becoming one of Manchester City’s forgotten players.
Maybe no longer.
The England winger has recovered from his injuries and is back in favor with City manager Pep Guardiola.
As the English champions enter the final stretch of the season in search of more trophies, the winger is repaying the trust with goals.
On Tuesday, City defeated second-tier Bristol City 3-0 in the FA Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. Foden scored in each half.
At Ashton Gate, Kevin De Bruyne scored the other goal to keep City on track in a competition it hasn’t won since 2019.
Before the World Cup, Foden was a regular starter for City. Since returning from the tournament in Qatar, he has been overshadowed by fellow wingers Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.
Now that Foden is back from foot injuries and shining, Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches in the wide positions.
On Saturday, he scored against Bournemouth and was probably City’s best player against Bristol City when star striker Erling Haaland was rested.
Regarding Foden, Guardiola stated, “This season he struggled a bit and was a bit down.” However, he is now back for the season’s best segment. Incredible has been his impact. When you work hard as he does, football pays off.
In the seventh minute, Foden converted a cross from Mahrez to give City the lead. In the 74th minute, he added a second goal with a side-footed finish that was deflected by a covering home defender to make it 2-0.
Foden stated, “I feel 100% fit and comfortable now.” It has been one of my worst career experiences, but everyone goes through them and how you respond is what matters.
From outside the box, De Bruyne scored the game’s best goal in the 81st minute for City.
In five of the last six seasons, City has reached at least the semifinals.
LEICESTER STUNNED In the FA Cup’s last eight, at least one team will not be from the Premier League.
Blackburn, which competes in the second division of the Championship, shocked everyone by defeating Leicester, the 2021 champion, 2-1.
Blackburn scored first thanks to Tyrhys Dolan taking advantage of a sloppy pass from Daniel Amartey out from behind. Shortly after the break, Sammie Szmodics finished by dribbling through the soft center of Leicester’s defense.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored his usual FA Cup goal, one of 18 he has scored in his last 24 appearances, more than any other player in that span. However, Leicester failed to score an equalizer.
Leicester can now concentrate on remaining in the Chief Association. Only three points separate the team from the relegation zone.
FULHAM’S SENSATION Manor Solomon scored in Fulham’s fourth consecutive match to help the London club continue its excellent season, which has seen Fulham rise to sixth place in the Premier League.
Solomon is a winger from Israel who came to the club on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk in the offseason. However, due to injury, he missed almost the entire first half of the season.
He has been starring off the bench now that he is healthy; his previous three goals came as a substitute.
However, against Leeds, he got the start and scored again after playing a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic and curling the ball into the far corner.
Even better was Joao Palhinha’s first goal, a 30-meter shot that bounced off the post after the Portugal midfielder intercepted Tyler Adams’ pass from behind.
At Craven Cottage in the second half, there were five players from the United States of America on the field.
Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, and Adams for Leeds, and Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson for Fulham. For the first time in 13 years, Fulham made it to the round of eight.
BRIGHTON ADVANCES Brighton made it to the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2018-19 season, when it lost to Man City in the semifinals. This is the fifth time Brighton has made it there.
At second-tier Stoke, Evan Ferguson scored a goal in the 30th minute from a square ball from Kaoru Mitoma.
QUARTERFINALS DRAW The draw for the quarterfinals takes place on Wednesday, following the conclusion of the remaining matches in the last 16.
Manchester United hosts West Ham and Tottenham hosts Sheffield United, both of which are in the second division.