BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — While Erling Haaland maintained his staggering record of having more goals than games in the Champions League, it was the performance of another attacker that might have given Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola more satisfaction on Tuesday. It is difficult to build too many narratives from an easy 4-0 win for City at outsider Slovan Bratislava, but Phil Foden's display in the Slovakian capital — featuring a goal, a sumptuous assist and plenty more — was hard to ignore. Given an extended break after helping England reach the European Championship final during the summer, the England forward has been eased into this campaign by Guardiola.
Indeed, this was just a second start in all competitions for Foden, last season's player of the year in English soccer. The world might be about to see Foden at his best once again. His finish for City's second goal — a calm, low, curling shot into the far corner from just inside the area — was classic Foden and the type of strike he delivered time and again last season.
“It’s my signature, to be honest,” Foden said. “Get it out of my feet and find the far corner.” Better was his scooped pass over Slovan's back line to fellow academy product James McAtee for the substitute's goal that rounded off the scoring on a comfortable night for the English champions, who had drawn 0-0 with Inter Milan to begin the new-look Champions League .
“Nice to score again but more importantly to enjoy my footba.
