“Every time I pass to him…” – Phil Foden aims cheeky dig at Erling Haaland after Everton disappointment | OneFootball

Phil Foden made a cheeky dig at Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland after the pair helped seal a 2-0 win for the Blues over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Haaland scored twice and Foden impressed once again as Pep Guardiola and co took another encouraging step towards their resurgence as Manchester City broke down Everton’s resistance in the second-half to rise to second place in the Premier League table.

City have well and truly left their early season troubles behind them, with Haaland’s heroics in front of goal catapulting the Blues firmly into the title conversation despite reservations over Manchester City’s prospects after a major squad rejig in the recent transfer window.

Having bid farewell to Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan, City have witnessed the pair of Haaland and Foden shoulder greater responsibility as the Blues look to challenge for major trophies in the backdrop of a sub-standard 2024-25 season.

Foden is back playing with a smile on his face after personal and physical struggles derailed the England international from producing his best form last term – when Manchester City underwent their most challenging season under Guardiola.

Haaland is in the best form of his professional career and is more than compensating for a worrying lack of goals coming from midfield and the wide attacking positions – which has left Guardiola worried as he embeds new signings such as Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki into the Manchester City squad.

Guardiola has been particularly pleased with Foden’s resurgence as Manchester City need their academy poster boy at his very best if they are to mount a genuine title challenge this term – because Haaland cannot do it all himself despite some very convincing recent evidence proving the contrary.

Foden has looked the part since he opened the scoring in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in August – his first start of the 2025-26 season – having spent the first few weeks of the campaign out injured. The England international once again caught the eye against Everton, orchestrating City’s attacking play and setting up Haaland a few times late on.

Haaland was visibly gutted after squandering a series of presentable chances in the dying minutes of the win over Everton, with Foden joking about his fellow boyhood blue seeming to miss whenever he did seem to find him in front of goal.

Speaking after the 2-0 win on Saturday, Foden said: “I think I’m improving my relationship with Erling Haaland. I played a lot of good passes in behind,” in conversation with Manchester City’s official channels.

“Maybe he (Haaland) could’ve finished a few but every time I pass he seems to miss unfortunately! No, no we’re definitely building that relationship. I’m finding him more in behind and where he needs the ball to score. It’s something I’ve been working on.”

Guardiola needs Haaland and Foden maintaining their recent form as the season progresses, with Manchester City navigating a tricky period of transition on the pitch after a busy summer transfer window that witnessed several high-profile exits from the first-team squad.