15/05/2026

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

FRIDAY | MAY 15, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Mesmerising Foden Guardiola hails ‘unique’ talent after inspiring Man City win that keeps title hopes alive Man City’s Phil Foden (left) in action with Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes during their English Premier League

match yesterday at the Etihad Stadium. – REUTERSPIC

Ű BY IAN PARKER

P EP GUARDIOLA called Phil Foden a “unique” talent after watching the mid fielder shine in Manchester City’s 3-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. Foden made his first start in more than two months following another difficult period for the 25-year-old, but he showed why the club are work ing on a new contract with him as he set up goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush before Savinho sealed the win late on. He teed up Semenyo with a superb backheeled pass, before controlling a high ball for Marmoush to finish. “In these types of games, (against) a low block… you need quality, the spark, the talent, the vision, something,” Guardiola said. “It’s not in the tactical boards, it’s not in the meetings, it’s not in the videos, it’s not even the training. “(Foden) receives the ball in small spaces and creates something, like the good players, he can deliver and I’m really pleased for him. We want (him) close to the box because Phil close to the box is unique.” This is a second-consecutive season in which Foden has struggled to find his best form, but City retain huge faith in a player who has been so important to them since graduating from the academy. “It has to be a big role in the future and he has to deliver what he has done for many, many years,” Guardiola added. “He felt how people love him with the standing ovation for his actions. People want him to just be happy. “(He is a) box-to-box player with incredible attributes, otherwise he would not be here for many years, winning six (Premier Leagues) and the trophies we have done together.” Foden came into the side as one of six changes made by Guardiola with an eye on tomorrow’s (10pm Malaysian time) FA Cup final against Chelsea, but he got the result City needed to stay in touch with Arsenal in the League, while still giv ing the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki a rest. “In general it was really good against a team that could create problems,” Guardiola said. “Three goals against Brentford, three goals here, I cannot ask for more.” City go into tomorrow’s contest against Chelsea in the hunt for a domestic cup double and Foden may have played himself into contention for an appearance at Wembley following his impressive showing yesterday. “I checked a few times before receiving the ball and I saw Ant (Semenyo) make a good move ment,” Foden said of the opening goal. “It is one of those, sometimes it doesn’t come off. “Sometimes a risk is worth taking and I am very delighted it came off and we scored from it. Buzzing to contribute to a goal and help the lads get three points which is the most important.” Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp called it the “assist of the season”, while ex-City

Devils make up mind

Rory on major hunt

- Story on page 29

- Story on page 30

defender Micah Richards added on Sky Sports : “This is why I love him. “The little backheel is sensational. I want him to do so well because he comes from the academy. It means more. To produce this from the academy, his vision and to execute that pass is mesmerising to me.” Foden has now gone 27 matches without scor ing and Guardiola has acted by relegating him to the bench in recent months, with yesterday’s start against Palace just his third in his past 13 League games and his first since March 4. “I would say I had a good half season – the first half – and dropped off a bit then struggled to find

us,” boss Oliver Glasner said. “If you want to get a point here you need a top performance and we could not deliver today. “It was OK in some parts, not good enough in others. The second half was a bit better but today we were not in our top level. “We scored one but we were slightly offside. In possession we moved the ball too slow. We didn’t really stick to the plan in possession. “We knew they would play a very high line, you need the runs but the ball movement was too slow. In the back we lost two or three balls too eas ily. Today the players couldn’t deliver what we wanted to do.” – The Independent

my place in the team,” Foden said. “It happens when you have quality players around you and they are more at it than you, so I have had to wait and be patient, train as hard as I can and when you get your moment you have to take it.” Palace had the ball in the City net inside two minutes but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s strike was ruled out with Brennan Johnson offside in the build-up, and from then on the visitors were decidedly second best, looking very much like a side whose eyes were already on the Conference League final. “We have to accept that City were too good for

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com