“We’re going to lose the league” – Phil Foden issues stern warning to Manchester City teammates | OneFootball

Manchester City’s players have received a clear warning from Phil Foden over their Premier League title hopes this season.

Foden came to the Blues’ rescue last week and netted a monumental winner in injury time as City avoided dropping points for the third time in a week – having squandered a two-goal advantage in the second-half in a 3-2 win over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side entered the November international break with 11 wins in 14 games in all competitions – a run of form that catapulted a new-look Manchester City side into the conversation for the Premier League title after the Blues endured two defeats in their opening trio of league games in August.

However, things have been far from ideal since the return of club football a few weeks ago. City were handed their fourth Premier League defeat of the 2025-26 campaign by Newcastle at St. James’ Park, with Harvey Barnes scoring a controversial winner to complete a brace either side of a Ruben Dias equaliser.

Guardiola was also heavily scrutinised after he made 10 changes to Manchester City’s starting lineup from Newcastle when his side lost 2-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League group-phase – a result that has added unnecessary stress on Guardiola and co to ensure a smooth qualification to the Round of 16 stage ahead of a visit to Real Madrid.

City are playing like a team in transition but Guardiola will know that there is little margin for error in the title race, with Arsenal setting the pace in the early stages of the season as they look to win their first Premier League title since 2004.

Foden came to City’s rescue against Leeds United – netting in the first and last minute of the game – but the England international has been involved in enough title races to be wary of dropping too many silly points in the first half of the campaign.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Leeds United on Saturday, Foden said: “It wasn’t good enough from start to finish, we know that. From that moment we spoke to the manager, we changed the way we pressed and played.

“It was crucial to get together and find the solution. It felt like we were all on different wavelengths. Some were pressing, some were staying. Even on the ball, we were not in good positions to receive it.

“We have to work on things and get better because when the opponents get better in the later stages of the season, we can’t afford to come out like that because we’re going to lose the league.”

City face a trip to west London on Tuesday as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage and as the Blues embark upon a vital, demanding month of December, nothing less than three points will do if they are to stand the test of time and challenge Arsenal thick and thin in the title race.

Foden has been in excellent form for Manchester City since his return to the pitch in September after a delayed start to the season – and Guardiola will be leaning heavily on one of City’s most experienced and longest-serving stars to lead from the front and command this new-look team to major trophies this term.