Foden pleased to be off the mark as Manchester City maintain perfect Premier League record against plucky Ipswich

Phil Foden was delighted to have scored his first Premier League goal since December as Manchester City maintained their 100% record in the Premier League with a nervy victory over Ipswich.

The England midfielder was making his first league appearance since his red card in the Manchester derby and capped a good performance with the opener as City won 3-2.

City goal was a matter of time – Foden

Foden told BBC Match of the Day: “Amazing feeling. Obviously I’ve missed a few big chances this season, I knew it would be a matter of time before it came. Enzo [Maresca] said that I would score today, so thanks to him. I think he gave me the good luck that I needed so I am obviously delighted to help the team. Today was just about getting the three points because now it puts us in a really good position.

“It gives you a lot of confidence, it makes us go out there and want to express yourself and give back to the manager. Today, I just tried to do that as best as I could.”

Foden struck from Jeremy Doku’s delivery to put City ahead, only for Ipswich to equalise when Daizen Maeda raced into the box and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma in clinical fashion as part of an incisive move.

Erling Haaland headed in Mateo Kovacic’s cross via grounded goalkeeper Christian Walton to restore City’s lead at half-time and produced a composed touch and finish from Iliman Ndiaye’s pass to add to their advantage during the second period.

A Video Assistant Referee offside decision denied Haaland a third when the Norway striker fired in seconds after Ndiaye hit the crossbar, with Zian Flemming then converting a penalty for a foul by Marc Guehi on Abdul Fatawu.

“It wasn’t pretty, I think they played a really good game,” added Foden. “They pressed us high and made it really difficult for us. Sometimes, they are not going to be pretty in the Premier League. Every team is so good now and it’s always going to be a big challenge. To come out with the three points, that was the main thing. Overall, we’re really happy.”

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O’Neil proud of plucky Ipswich

Ipswich can also take plenty from the game with boss Gary O’Neill delighted with their display.

He told Sky Sports: “Really proud of the group. I think they had a go today. There’s bits in it that we could have done better. The second goal I’m really disappointed with because it is something we had covered. When I say covered, I really mean covered. That disappointed me after we got back in it.

“Towards the end, we showed a little bit too much excitement and not enough quality. We wasted some fantastic opportunities, but really proud of the group. To stand at the front and be able to lead a team with that endeavour and that adventure and the support we have, I’m really proud because it really is an excellent group.

“We came here looking for points and I really thought we could have got that. We didn’t and that is disappointing but whether it be a couple of mistakes from us like for the goal, whether it be the three offsides that weren’t offside that were given against us which were mad, you only get six attacks at the Etihad so to lose three of them just kill your momentum. You’ve got VAR, just let it go.”

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