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<p>Manchester City 3-2 Leeds United</p>
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<img alt="Foden solidifies his status as a Man City icon while Haaland struggles in the Leeds victory" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/foden-man-city-1764445052-183845.jpg" title="Foden solidifies his status as a Man City icon while Haaland struggles in the Leeds victory">
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p>Once valued at €150 million and hailed as a breakthrough talent, Phil Foden's recent decline at Manchester City raises concerns. Off-field speculation regarding his family and personal life has not helped his on-pitch performance, relegating him to the bench. However, the 25-year-old appears to have rejuvenated his career under Pep Guardiola, having spent significant time as a substitute last season. With a current market value of €80 million and his best years still ahead, Foden made a crucial impact by scoring two vital goals in City's 3-2 victory over Leeds United on Saturday.</p>
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<p>Club Comparison</p>
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<p>Premier League</p>
<p>Premier League</p>
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<p>€1.21bn</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€316.30m</p>
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<p>First Tier</p>
<p>League Level</p>
<p>First Tier</p>
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<p>€206.80m</p>
<p>Expenditures 25/26</p>
<p>€113.70m</p>
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<p>Pep Guardiola</p>
<p>Managers</p>
<p>Daniel Farke</p>
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<p><span>Full Club Comparison</span></p>
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<p>Foden delivered the first blow to Leeds within the opening minute, expertly converting a cross from Matheus Nunes. This strike marked the fastest goal of the Premier League season for about two hours before Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United broke the record just six seconds later in a matchup against Everton. The goal was a significant relief for Foden, marking his first league score since September and symbolizing an upswing in his form, even if it hasn't fully reflected in his overall stats yet.</p>
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<img alt="Phil Foden: Career Stats at Manchester City" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/phil-foden-stats-1764446045-183847.png?lm=1764446104" title="Phil Foden: Career Stats at Manchester City" width="503"></img>
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<p>However, City nearly faced a setback, as substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored just four minutes after his introduction and subsequently earned a penalty. Lukas Nmecha's attempt from the spot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Nmecha converted the rebound, putting Leeds in search of a comeback.</p>
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<p>Foden has shown progressive improvement in the No. 10 role, playing closer to Erling Haaland and making dynamic movements around the edge of the area. His regained confidence is evident, as he successfully dribbles in tight situations and takes on defenders. There were moments where Foden and other attacking players experienced a dip in influence, particularly after City took a 2-0 lead via a Josko Gvardiol header. This inconsistency reflects City's season thus far, characterized by conceding avoidable goals—something Pep Guardiola is unaccustomed to in his tenure.</p>
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<p>As for who would step up when the going got tough, Jeremy Doku was tightly marked, Omar Marmoush was struggling, and Haaland remained subdued, hardly breaking through the defense provided by Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon. However, while the defenders focused on Haaland, Foden seized the initiative to reclaim the lead for City. With ten minutes of added time announced, Foden picked the ball up at the edge of the area, skillfully maneuvered past two defenders, and struck decisively beyond Lucas Perri to secure a 3-2 victory in stoppage time.</p>
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<img alt="Manchester City Top Premier League Scorers" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/man-city-pl-scorers-1764446246-183848.png?lm=1764446260" title="Manchester City Top Premier League Scorers" width="503"></img>
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<p>This marked Foden's 64th Premier League goal for City, surpassing the totals of club legends Yaya Touré and David Silva. He now ranks fifth among the club's all-time Premier League goalscorers, trailing only Sergio Agüero, Haaland, Raheem Sterling, and Kevin De Bruyne. Alongside such elite company, it's clear that Foden is already a City legend at just 25 years old and has a bright future ahead.</p>
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