Match of the Day’s Joe Hart analyses how Phil Foden made the Etihad Stadium “his dancefloor”, scoring twice – including a late winner – in Manchester City’s 3-2 victory against Leeds United.
WATCH MORE: Foden stars as Man City leave it late to beat Leeds
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Foden and Bellingham have been used in wide positions for England in the past, but Tuchel’s selections suggest Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are his first choices on the left and right flank respectively, with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen next in line.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane play together?
Gareth Southgate certainly thought so.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane started all of England’s seven games at Euro 2024 in Germany, where Southgate’s side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 games the trio have played alongside each other, England have won 10, drawn three and lost three, scoring 36 times and conceding 14. Of those 36 goals, Kane scored 14, Bellingham three and Foden two.
However, since Tuchel came in, the only time all three have played together was in the opening 74 minutes of his first game. Foden was substituted at 1-0 in a 2-0 win over Albania.
Tuchel is not the first England manager to have to juggle his side around to fit the best players in, with Sven-Goran Eriksson constantly trying to find the right balance in midfield.
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes won the Champions League during their careers in central midfield for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United respectively from the late 1990s to early 2010s.
They are regarded as three of England’s best midfielders, with Gerrard winning 114 caps, Lampard 106 and Scholes 66. However, they played in the same England side only eight times, with Scholes often moved to the left to accommodate Gerrard and Lampard in the middle.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has backed midfielders Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham following their return to the squad for games against Serbia and Albania.
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Phil Foden’s dazzling double against Borussia Dortmund kept Manchester City unbeaten in UEFA Champions League after four matches.
Published On 6 Nov 20256 Nov 2025
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Phil Foden sent an emphatic reminder to England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel with two brilliantly taken goals in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“He is back,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “He is a special player.”
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Tuchel will name his latest England squad this week after overlooking Foden so far this season, and with time running out before next year’s World Cup.
But the City forward strengthened his case for a recall with an inspired performance against Dortmund. He scored in each half at the Etihad Stadium, with star striker Erling Haaland smashing home his 27th of the season in between. Substitute Rayan Cherki got the other after Waldemar Anton scored for Dortmund.
Tuchel is set to announce his squad on Friday for the final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, with England having already secured qualification.
Foden has rediscovered some of his best form this season after enduring a frustrating campaign last term as City relinquished the Premier League title. His goals on Tuesday – both swept low into the bottom corner – took his tally on the season to four and could have come at just the right time to capture Tuchel’s attention.
“There’s no person in this country or around the world that doesn’t know his quality and ability, but England is so lucky to have this amount of good players,” Guardiola said. “In his position there are a lot, and that’s why he has to push himself to be better and better and better.”
Foden’s omission from England’s four games this season has been a talking point, with players like Eberechi Eze, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon all adding to the competition for places.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the most gifted English players of his generation, Foden is still to consistently perform for England.
And it appears he is yet to convince Tuchel after being given chances in the German’s first games in charge earlier this season.
“Thomas is so smart and wise and knows exactly what the team needs,” Guardiola said. “I think Thomas knows perfectly [about] Phil. What Phil wants to do is play better and better and better.”
Haaland set another scoring benchmark in the Champions League after finding the back of the net for the fifth consecutive game for City in European club football’s elite club tournament.
According to City, he is the first player to achieve that feat with three different teams, having previously done so with former clubs RB Salzburg and Dortmund.
His latest goal – a powerfully struck effort from close range – was his 54th in 52 games in the Champions League. Lionel Messi has the record for reaching 60 goals in the fewest number of games, at 80. Haaland looks certain to beat that – possibly before the league phase of this year’s tournament is completed.
Rodri didn’t even make the bench after returning from a hamstring injury against Bournemouth last weekend. Guardiola said City was being cautious about the Spain international, but his absence raises doubts over whether he will be available for the league clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
Rodri missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury, and his contribution has been limited this term.
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It was another successful night for Premier League clubs in the Champions League with wins for Manchester City who beat Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle who got the better of Athletic Club at St James Park – and a draw for Chelsea away to Qarabag in Baku.
Kelly Cates has all the reaction and is joined by Premier League legends Michael Brown, Leon Osman and Tim Krul. They start at the Etihad where Phil Foden and Erling Haaland dazzled again for Manchester City on bonfire night – and Pep Guardiola even pops on the pod to chat to John Murray after his side’s 4-1 victory.
Tim gives his thoughts on Joelinton and Dan Burn after they scored for his former side, giving Newcastle a 2 nil win.
And Chelsea came from 2-1 down to draw two all with their opponents, after Alejandro Garnacho got Chelsea’s second and proved that he was indeed the impact substitution that manager Enzo Maresca needed.
Timecodes:
00:40 – Manchester City section.
10:25 – Pep Guardiola with John Murray.
14:30 – Newcastle section.
18:08 – Eddie Howe interview.
22:35 – Chelsea chat.
29:53 – Enzo Maresca audio.
Thursday 6th November
EUROPA LEAGUE: Midtjylland v Celtic 1745 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: AEK Larnaca v Aberdeen 1745 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 2
EUROPA LEAGUE: Rangers v Roma 1945 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
Saturday 8th November
PREMIER LEAGUE: West Ham v Burnley 1500 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton v Fulham 1500 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunderland v Arsenal 1730 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
WSL: Arsenal v Chelsea 1200 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
Sunday 9th November
PREMIER LEAGUE: Nottingham Forest v Leeds United 1400 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
PREMIER LEAGUE: Brentford v Newcastle 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
PREMIER LEAGUE: Aston Villa v Bournemouth 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 2
PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace v Brighton 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 3
PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester City v Liverpool 1630 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE