Pep Guardiola says Man City star Phil Foden is one of the 'few in the world'

Pep Guardiola said Phil Foden is a rare talent after his stunning goal lit up Manchester City's FA Cup rout of Southampton. The 21-year-old Stockport ace arrowed a shot into the top corner to make it 3-1 as the Blues eased away from Saints after a tough first half.

That was Foden's first goal since his winner at Everton, and followed his anonymous performance at Crystal Palace when for once he did not make the most of his false nine role. Going on as a substitute at St Mary's, he made a yard of space for himself with a smart touch outside the box and smashed an unstoppable shot past Fraser Forster in the Saints goal.

Guardiola said that Foden, who now heads off on England duty for friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, was part of an elite group of players who can score that kind of goal. He scored a similar one at Anfield in the 4-1 win over Liverpool last season.

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Guardiola said: “He has an incredible shot and he’s a fantastic player. He has a sense of goal, he goes to the box ... he was really brilliant. There are a few in the world who can score a goal like that, not many, but a few. One of them, we have."

Foden's goal gave City the cushion they needed as the Blues stepped up their performance in the second half - even more so when Foden and fellow sub Riyad Mahrez went on.

Guardiola added: “We had the courage to have the ball but in the first half we could lose it. In the second half we were much, much better. They are incredibly organised and provoke you to play in front of the ball.

“But after 2-1 we were so much better and in the end Phil and Riyad made a difference. We are a decent team if we never forget to play."

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