Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Phil Foden as the best player in the Premier League after the midfielder’s Manchester Derby double.
Foden scored twice as Manchester City came from behind to beat Manchester United 3-1 at the Etihad, scoring a stunning goal from distance to bring the teams level, before sliding a second past Andre Onana.
Erling Haaland added a third in stoppage time after a defensive mistake from the visitors, as the Citizens moved back within a point of leaders Liverpool in the title race.
Guardiola was pleased with the character his team showed to come from behind and claim derby bragging rights.
“Not winning would not be good but we matched the result with the performance and it is really good,” Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day.
“We started really well but after seven minutes and the first long ball we were not in the correct line. We we were a little more anxious in the first half in the final third but yeah it was a really good game.
“They are a team built for the transitions and they can kill you in them. That is why you have to not lose that. If we attack not in a good position they can make good transitions and score a second goal and make it more difficult.”
Guardiola was full of praise for match-winner Foden, who scored his 17th and 18th goals of a career-best campaign. The City boss believes the 23-year-old is the best player in the Premier League on current form.
“It is the amount of games he is playing. He was always a talented player but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively. He can play middle, right, make moments and cut inside, play in the left, scoring from the left. What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable.
“When he scores two goals it gives me more pleasure than the other stuff. We don’t negotiate over that (defensive work-rate), the guy who doesn’t do that doesn’t stay in the team. He loves football, he lives for football. He is a joy and his work ethic is unbelievable.”
