MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 WYDAD: Phil Foden scored and assisted as Pep Guardiola’s side made a winning start to their Club World Cup defence – but Rico Lewis saw red late in proceedings
Pep Guardiola unveiled his new-look Manchester City – and yet it was a more familiar face who stole the show.
Phil Foden scored, provided an assist and, more importantly, looked like he was a man on a mission as City cruised to victory even if they finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis’s late red card.
Foden was City’s standout player in their last title-winning season of 2023/24 when he was also the best player in the Premier League bar none.
And yet this season so far – you quickly forget which season the Club World Cup is actually in – has been frustrating for Foden through injury, form and even losing his England place.
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But this felt like a statement of intent from Foden who was sharp, looked super fit and in the mood as he buzzed around in the midday heat in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field
City boss Guardiola is on course to spend more than £300m in 2025 and new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki both started the game and did well.
Holland international Reijnders particularly caught the eye as he looked classy and composed in midfield in a highly-promising debut for the £48.5m signing.
Cherki also had nice moments in attack in what was a mix-and-match City line-up against Moroccan side Wydad.
But it was Foden who had more to prove and we should not forget that Guardiola can be ruthless with players. If you are not performing, then off you go. That is the mark of a successful manager.
Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker are not in the United States and have been told they can go this summer either on loan or a permanent switch.
But Foden has far too much time and promise and now it is down to him to get back too his best to deliver again for City this coming season.
It took Foden just one minute and 43 seconds to get off the mark and then it was his corner which set up Jeremy Doku’s second goal.
There were even more fans in the stadium this time with a crowd of 37,446 which, bearing in mind it kicked off at 12 noon in Philadelphia’s NFL stadium which can hold up to 67,500, was pretty impressive.
Before kick-off it looked half empty, by midway through the first half it had filled up nicely. Maybe locals had just turned up on their lunch break during a normal, average working Wednesday.
Less impressive was a pitch invader being allowed to get through security to make a protest about animal rights before eventually being jumped on and escorted away.
Then a huge red smoke bomb from the Wydad fans was let off during the second half and, briefly, you could not see the pitch. It was not a great look for FIFA’s grand new tournament.
The late arrivals missed the opening goal. City winger Savinho’s cross was only palmed out by Wydad keeper El Mehdi Benabid and the chance was on a plate for Foden to fire in from close range.
The second goal killed the contest before half time. Foden flighted a corner into the middle, the Wydad defence stood like statues while Doku charged in at the back post to force home from close range.
Guardiola rang the changes in the second half as on came Rodri, Erling Haaland and Co. The game slowed down and faded out as even the Moroccan side looked jaded as the sun began to beat down.
It had become a procession when Lewis got his marching orders. Lewis slid in Wydad substitute Samuel Obeng, got the ball but his follow-through led to his dismissal which was checked and upheld by VAR.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
