Phil Foden names the 'most important thing' as Man City send clear message

• Sport
• Football
• Phil Foden

Phil Foden scored as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace to move within two points of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden believes patience was the most important trait at Crystal Palace as the Blues won 3-0 to cut the gap at the top of the table. City were tested in the first half but were ahead at the break when Matheus Nunes' cross was headed in by Erling Haaland.

Adam Wharton hit the post for Palace early in the second half but it was City who struck again thanks to a fine Foden strike. Late on sub Savinho was brought down by Dean Henderson to give Haaland a chance for a brace from the penalty spot, which he duly took. The victory was comfortable in the end but Foden stressed how difficult it was to gain the win.

He told Sky Sports: "It's a really difficult game. We know what they are about. They make it tricky, set up well and have quality players on the break. The first half we were just trying to figure them out.

"Second half we started to hurt them more and in the end we killed the game off. The most important thing is patience. I think we maybe tried to attack too quickly. In the second half we did a lot better.

"That was the key for getting the result today. We had more control and more passes that is the City way. It is a full team performance."

Of his own form, he added: "Really happy. I have been in great form in the Premier League recently and I'm delighted to keep that (scoring) going."

City's three points mean they keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the table. Pep Guardiola's men are two points behind the leaders and one point ahead of Aston Villa who came back twice to beat West Ham United 3-2 at the London Stadium. Next up for the Blues is a return to the Etihad Stadium for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford on Wednesday night.