Man City coach Pep Guardiola pleased with Phil Foden response to attack of family at boxing

Phil Foden has impressed Pep Guardiola this week in Manchester City training as he responded to the attack that he and his family suffered on Saturday night.

The Fodens were at Manchester Arena after the Tottenham match for the boxing match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan, when they were harassed by yobs who goaded the England international and hurled abuse and punches; one man punched Foden's mum Claire in the scuffles.

City strongly condemned the abuse and gave Foden their full support, and Guardiola was happy enough with what he saw when the player returned to training on Tuesday that he didn't feel any need to pull him aside for a chat as he prepares for their Premier League game at Everton.

Guardiola said that he would not think about trying to interfere in the free time of the players, who are used to being subjected to abuse in their day job and also know all too well that "this is the world we are living in, unfortunately".

City's manager was also happy with the way the rest of the squad returned to training after suffering their first league defeat since October. The Blues were given Sunday and Monday off before coming back in to prepare for Everton.

While the acid test will come at Goodison Park on Saturday teatime, Guardiola saw many of the qualities that he has previously seen in a team that have proved so good at bouncing back from setbacks.

"They trained good, a little bit more sad than usual but that's normal," he said.

"We will know it tomorrow. They have the answer. I said many times to them I never win a game but I never lose either. Football belongs to them. I'm waiting for how we're going to react tomorrow.

"I know them, from what I saw in the last years I know they're going to perform well.