Foden's goal against Ipswich ends 35-game drought and sparks Man City revival hopes

Phil Foden scored again for Manchester City after a painful 35-game stretch without a goal. The attacking midfielder found the net in the home win over Ipswich at the Etihad Stadium, lifting a burden that had followed him for more than ten months. The strike arrives at a critical point as Enzo Maresca's side looks for attacking answers in a difficult season.

• Foden ended a 35-game drought for Manchester City, plus two more matches without scoring for England.
• The goal came during the victory over Ipswich at the Etihad Stadium.
• Enzo Maresca described Foden as one of the best Premier League players and wants to restore that level.
• Fierce competition from Rayan Cherki and Enzo Fernández exists, but Foden also has options on the wings or as a striker.

A drought that stretched beyond ten months finally ends

Foden's last goal in a Manchester City shirt felt like a distant memory. During the 2023-24 season he scored 27 times, a world-class tally, but since then his finishing had deserted him. Against Ipswich, the Englishman arrived in the box to convert a cross from Jeremy Doku and break a streak that had become far too heavy.

The player himself admitted the relief of seeing the ball hit the net. He said he had been waiting for that moment for a long time and that some of the chances he had missed this season had been tormenting him. His calm finish, timing his run into the box with precision, brought back memories of the player who dazzled in previous campaigns.

Maresca's backing becomes crucial for Foden's confidence

Enzo Maresca did not hesitate to offer public support to Foden before the Ipswich match. The Italian coach, who had known the player from his previous spell at the club, made it clear that he still regards him as one of the finest talents in the Premier League. His mission, he said, is to help him reclaim that status.

With Phil I said many times that I know him from years ago and for me he is one of the best Premier League players. Since day one it is my duty to help him become one of the best again.

That confidence from the coach had not always translated into minutes. Foden's situation had been complicated: after his red card in the Manchester derby, he missed three domestic matches through suspension and also sat out the Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. Before that, he had already lost prominence with the arrival of Rayan Cherki, who took control of the number ten role.

Competition for the attacking midfield spot at Manchester City

Foden's return to the starting eleven will not be easy. In the attacking midfield area, Cherki has shone with regularity, while Enzo Fernández, a £125 million signing, has also built a strong case to play ahead of the two holding midfielders. The defeat to PSG offered a tactical lesson: Maresca could need Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson as anchors, which would push Fernández into the most advanced midfield role.

The coach's relationship with Cherki is also not without doubts. The Frenchman has been withdrawn at half-time on three occasions this season, although he has also produced brilliant displays such as the one at Crystal Palace. Foden is watching that competition closely and knows he must seize any opportunity to prove himself.

Wide areas and the striker role give Foden alternative routes

The depth of the City squad is enormous, but there are nuances that could benefit the England international. On the wings, Allan Elias has barely featured under Maresca, which makes Foden a more serious competitor for Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye. His ability to play inside and out makes him a flexible option for the attack.

The striker situation may also open an unexpected door. Maresca admitted that Erling Haaland will need a rest soon. The Norwegian asked to be substituted in stoppage time against Ipswich due to discomfort, although he later reassured his coach. Semenyo, the most used natural replacement, also finished the match in poor physical condition.

If Haaland is not ready for the European clash against AEK Athens, Foden could find himself leading the line in the Champions League. That scenario would have been hard to imagine for a forward who had gone more than ten months without scoring. Now, with the goal against Ipswich, the situation has changed completely.

Foden's return arrives amid growing pressure at the Etihad

Foden's goal does more than ease his individual burden. It comes in a context of maximum demand for Manchester City, with supporters going through a turbulent period due to recent events surrounding the club. The player, raised as a City fan, celebrated in a very particular way and walked into post-match interviews carrying an inflatable banana, a light-hearted touch in the middle of a difficult season.

For Foden, 2026 is proving trying both personally and collectively. His prolonged spell on the bench and the lack of goals had fuelled doubts about his future in the starting lineup. The goal against Ipswich, beyond ending the drought, restores the feeling that the playmaker can be decisive once again when the team needs him most.