Foden stars as Man City advances in FA Cup

Phil Foden was in danger of becoming one of the forgotten players at Manchester City this season. The England winger is over his injury problems and back in favor with City manager Pep Guardiola — and is repaying the faith with goals as the English champions head into the final stretch of the season on the hunt for more trophies. Foden scored in each half in City’s 3-0 win at second-tier Bristol City in the FA Cup on Tuesday, helping the team secure a place in the quarterfinals. Kevin De Bruyne netted the other goal at Ashton Gate as City stayed on course in a competition it last won in 2019. Foden lost his place as a regular starter at City just before the World Cup and after returning from the Qatar tournament has been overshadowed by fellow wingers Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez. Now Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches in the wide positions with Foden over some foot injuries and shining again. He scored against Bournemouth on Saturday and was probably City’s best player against Bristol City on a night star striker Erling Haaland was rested. ”This season he struggled a bit and was a bit down,” Guardiola said of Foden. ”But now he’s back for the best bit of the season. His impact has been amazing. Football pays off when you work like he does.” Foden converted a cross from Mahrez in the seventh minute to give City the lead and then provided the side-footed finish — via a deflection from a covering home defender — to make it 2-0 in the 74th. ”I feel 100% fit now and comfortable,” Foden said. ”(It has) been one of the worst parts of my career but everyone goes through them and it is how you react.” De Bruyne curled in City’s best goal of the game in the 81st from outside the area. City has reached at least the semifinals in five of the last six seasons.