MANCHESTER CITY BOSS Pep Guardiola lauded David Silva for playing “like Phil Foden” during the 4-1 victory over Newport County in the FA Cup fifth round.
The Premier League champions failed to find the net throughout the first half at Rodney Parade as the fourth-tier hosts initially frustrated their more fancied opposition.
Leroy Sane broke the resistance in the 51st minute, while England youth international Foden scored a brace - either side of Padraig Amond’s reply for Newport – and Riyad Mahrez was also on target.
Veteran midfielder Silva, one of many City regulars who started in south Wales, completed 82 minutes in difficult conditions and earned praise for his professionalism.
“Incredible,” Guardiola told reporters when asked to describe the World Cup winner’s performance.
“[He is] 33 years old, fights, wins duels. Really, really good.
“David is a fantastic player. He played here at a League Two club like an 18-year-old, like Phil Foden.”
City’s hard-earned progression to the quarter-finals keeps them in hunt for four trophies at home and abroad.
They visit Schalke in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday before a date with Chelsea in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium four days later.
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So we have 3 Pro14 games first, then the 2 Champions Cup game in January. Even if Sexton and Kelleher come good Farrel will more than likely have them for the Six Nations. And 10 or more others. Nice to have the Q final boxed off in the cup already and an 8point buffer in the league. Not too shabby so far. COYBIB.
@David: shame on me, turned out to be 17 others for the initial Farrel picks.
Real blow for Ronan with his rich form this short to 6 nations. But hopefully gets back up to these levels of consistency quickly. Hopefully a bit of game time for Ciara’s and Harry with Ross over the Christmas period will help them on.
I wouldn’t be surprised if his specialist was based on Lyon.
@Ken: already confirmed that he’s turned down the offer