Phil Foden sends Man City message after Bournemouth draw, Ruben Dias reacts
Phil Foden delivered a message to Man City fans after their FA Cup triumph over Plymouth Argyle for a place in the quarter-finals.
Man City had to battle from behind to secure their place in the last eight of the FA Cup, with a brace from Nico O’Reilly and a late strike from Kevin De Bruyne sealing the victory.
The FA Cup has taken on added significance for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, with their hopes of silverware resting solely on the competition following eliminations from the EFL Cup and Champions League, while also currently sitting fourth in the Premier League.
Foden played 83 minutes in a false-nine role, providing a crucial assist for O’Reilly’s second goal. It was a strong performance, especially after Foden received criticism from Man City fans the last time he started in the role against Liverpool. This time, he played a key part in the win and marked the moment with a message to supporters.
Ruben Dias and Savinho react to Phil Foden’s message after Man City’s FA Cup win
The England international shared images from the match on Instagram, captioning the post: “Quarter-finals coming up.”
City have been drawn against Bournemouth in the last eight of England’s premier cup competition.
Several Man City teammates, including Ruben Dias and Savinho—both of whom didn’t start in the game—reacted to his message.
Earlier this season, Man City fans had voiced concerns over Foden, pointing to uncharacteristic mistakes that had crept into his game.
This stands in stark contrast to last season when he was named PFA Player of the Year. His performances this campaign have lacked the same level of influence, sparking discussions about his consistency.
Football Insider revealed back in November that Man City were concerned about Foden’s form, as he had yet to score a single Premier League goal at that stage of the season.
| Match statistics vs Plymouth Argyle | Phil Foden |
| Minutes played | 83′ |
| Assists | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 26/26 |
| Key passes | 6 |
Pep Guardiola trusts Phil Foden despite fan frustration
Despite criticism, Guardiola has remained confident in the 24-year-old, who has made 35 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 2,523 minutes of football.
However, Guardiola has faced increasing pressure from Man City supporters, with some questioning his tactics and squad selections—particularly his persistence with certain players despite their poor performances.
Next up is a tricky away clash against high-flying Nottingham Forest, with both sides fighting for a Champions League place.