Phil Foden is relishing “six more finals” after surpassing 50 top-flight goals to help Manchester City take control of the Premier League title race.
England midfielder Foden made history with the first of his two strikes in Thursday evening’s 4-0 win over Brighton.
Victory at the Amex Stadium saw City leapfrog Liverpool into second place and move a point behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola’s side continue their quest for a fourth consecutive season at Nottingham Forest on Sunday and then face Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham before a second consecutive FA Cup final against Manchester United.
“It’s a great milestone to reach,” Foden told the City website.
“I’m very happy with the position I’m playing in at the moment and I keep finding the back of the net for the team.
“I want to keep trying to do that because when I get the net, we seem to go and win games.
“I’m very happy with the way I’m playing and there are still six games to go, so there are six more finals to go and I just want to keep trying to help the team.”
Foden curled home a deflected free-kick to add to Kevin De Bruyne’s fine diving header and then produced a clinical first-time finish before Julian Alvarez completed the scoring in the second period.
The 23-year-old feels City’s past successes will prevent any nerves from settling during what promises to be a tense encounter.
“I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage but I think it makes us a lot calmer,” he said.
“We’ve done it before, we have all the experience in the world. I think it’s a bit positive that we don’t really feel the nerves.
Foden now has 24 goals for the season in all competitions and a remarkable eight in just 10 appearances against Brighton.
“I saw online that I scored most of my goals against them (Brighton),” he continued. “I don’t know what it is – maybe I like their stadium!
Top scorer Erling Holland is a doubt for the trip to the City Ground at the weekend after missing his side’s last two games with a muscle problem.
City have averaged more points, scored more goals and conceded fewer goals without the Norwegian striker this term but manager Guardiola is desperate for the Hollande to be available.
“I’d rather have Erling at my disposal than not have him,” Guardiola said.
“I talked to him (Wednesday) and he told me he’s feeling better. He’s feeling better but I don’t know (if he’ll be ready to come back).
Injury-hit Brighton suffered another blow to their European qualification hopes as their winless run stretched to five matches.
Albion boss Roberto Di Zerbi, who guided his side to an 11th-place finish in the Europa League last term, is optimistic about the club’s future.
“I think we’re doing better than last season,” said the Italian, who lost key trio Levi Colwell, Alexis McAllister and Moises Cacido last summer.
“We have to analyze the level of players, the experience of players, how many players have been lost in the transfer market and how many injured players there are.
“If you ask me about the end result, I’m really disappointed. But if you ask me if I’m positive for the future, yes.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk