Pep Guardiola hails Phil Foden's versatility after Brighton demolition

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sung the praises of Phil Foden once more after another fine performance helped down Brighton 4-1 at the Amex Stadium.

The Cityzens were at their electrifying best on the south coast, and responded to Chelsea's huge 7-0 win earlier in the day with a statement victory of their own.

Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for City, but it was a quick-fire brace from 21-year-old Foden that quickly put the game out of Brighton's reach just half an hour into the game.

Foden also laid on Riyad Mahrez's stoppage-time fourth, capping another sensational performance in the role of false nine, and his ability to play anywhere in midfield or attack was highlighted by a delighted Guardiola after the final whistle.

“Some players play in one position, some play football,” Guardiola remarked to the club's official website, when asked about Foden's ability to adapt and play in different areas.

“The question is it doesn't matter where he plays, he plays good. It doesn't matter. What is important is to understand the game… sometimes we need him right, left. It doesn't matter.

“Phil in dropped positions is maybe more dangerous because he is so young, but he has the quality to play in the final third."

Foden has taken on various roles for Gareth Southgate's England, too, most recently standing out as a deep-lying 'quarterback' in the comfortable win over Andorra, but Guardiola admitted that he likes the idea of playing him anywhere across the front line.

The Spaniard added: “He can play striker, false nine, winger right and left. In the last games he has many chances and in front of keeper didn't take right decisions because he is young but I am more than pleased with the performances he has given.

“I like him as a player. He gives us things we need at a times. He has quality to play this role. At Anfield he played as a winger and was our important player.

“He is a midfield player with a lot of sense for goals, the only thing for Phil is to be calm on and off the pitch, because he is still young.”

Foden's man of the match display lifted City up to second in the Premier League table, two points behind Thomas Tuchel's pacesetting Chelsea.