Phil Foden breaks silence on Manchester City struggles after five-star Crystal Palace performance | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Phil Foden lifted the lid on his struggles for form and consistency this season after playing a key role in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The England international made the most of a rare start by setting up Antoine Semenyo with a brilliant back-heel for the opener after 32 minutes before another assist for Omar Marmoush close to the interval.

On a night when City needed three points to stay in the title race, Foden took matters into his own hands and assumed the role of architect-in-chief – with Rayan Cherki rested ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final – as the Blues cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Guardiola and co will be aiming to lift their second piece of silverware of the season against Chelsea this weekend as City retain slim hopes of winning a ninth Premier League title and a second domestic treble.

Foden: It was a massive game, I’m really happy!

City knew there was no margin for error against high-flying Palace on Wednesday and despite making six changes to their lineup from last week’s 3-0 win over Brentford, the Blues ensured they kept the pressure on Arsenal.

In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Foden said: “We were all excited to play and ready, and it was a massive game, a must-win game, and I’m really happy!”

On his world-class assist for Semenyo’s opener, the 25-year-old added: “I checked (my shoulder) a few times before receiving the ball, I’d seen Ant (Antoine Semenyo) make a good movement.

“It’s one of those where sometimes it doesn’t come off but sometimes, the risk is worth trying. And (I’m) very delighted it came off and we scored from it!”

‘Great players’ around me have been more at it than me, says Foden on Man City struggles

Foden has endured a frustrating second half of the season, having lost his place in Guardiola’s preferred starting XI since the January arrival of Semenyo from Bournemouth.

“I’d say I had a good half-a-season, first-half of the season, and dropped off a bit,” the playmaker said. “And I struggled to find my way into the team, it happens with great players around you, quality players.

“When they’re more at it than you, they’re going to play so I’ve had to wait, be patient, train as hard as I can and when you get a moment, you just have to make the most of it.

“It’s a team game at the end of the day, if you want to win titles and trophies it’s all about a full squad and everyone has to play their part.”

However, there is strong backing for Foden from Guardiola, his coaching staff and executives at the Etihad Stadium, who have agreed a fresh four-year contract with the City Football Academy graduate in recent weeks.

City remain in pursuit of Arsenal but in knowledge that they need the Gunners to slip up in their final Premier League games against Burnley or Crystal Palace to stand a chance at winning the league title.

On the title race, Foden added: “Just keep pushing and keeping them (Arsenal) on their toes. We’ve seen a lot of things can happen on the final day, I’ve experienced it many times when the game doesn’t go your way. So we just have to keep pushing and doing our part.”

Meanwhile, Foden will be hoping his successful pre-Wembley audition against Crystal Palace will have earned him some minutes in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.