THIS was supposed to be the Jack Grealish show — only for a pesky teenager to steal the Wembley limelight with a man-of-the-match display.
Phil Foden does not turn 20 until May 28 but was the precocious talent everyone was talking about as Manchester City added yet another pot to their collection.
Phil Foden outshone Jack Grealish in their battle at WembleyCredit: Alamy Live News
Foden was Man of the Match as Man City won the Carabao CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Foden was instrumental in City’s opening goal after 20 minutes.
He wriggled free of Matt Targett’s shackles at the back post and cushioned a header from Rodri’s cross into the path of Sergio Aguero, who did what comes naturally to him by shooting home.
From that moment on, Villa were fearful of midfielder Foden’s threat in behind them.
Left wing-back Targett will cop flak from some Villa fans for failing to deal with the problem teenager.
But it was significant that Pep Guardiola used his England Under-21 star on the one side of the pitch he knew he would get space.
Targett needed Grealish and Anwar El Ghazi to track back and assist him but that is not really their strength.
And so Foden had a field day as he became a Wembley winner. No doubt he will be back here countless times in his career for club and country.
For Grealish, there were only tears for souvenirs this time as he was consoled by manager Dean Smith at the end.
This final seemed set up for Grealish to showcase his lavish talents – and add another £10million or so to his rapidly rising price-tag.
But it fell flat for him and his tired pass in stoppage time summed up his day – things just didn’t fall into place for him.
He remains a huge talent but he was usurped in a strange twist of fate, by Foden.
The setting was a familiar one for the Villa icon who couldn’t complain as he had stolen the show in precisely the same manner in his first appearance here at the national stadium.
Five years ago the Solihull kid, then a fresh-faced teenager, burst on the scene here in the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Aged just 19, he had done enough making his first Premier League start 12 days earlier against QPR to earn his big chance.
Tim Sherwood saw enough in him to let him loose on Liverpool in the 2015 FA cup semi-final and the youngster stole the show.
Grealish played with a carefree innocence, as if he was having a knock-about on the school playground, and it totally unnerved a Liverpool side which included Steve Gerrard in his swansong season.
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The Liverpool legend had been told it was written in the stars that his final game for the Reds would be that year’s final against Arsenal at Wembley – played on the day of his 35th birthday.
Instead Grealish snatched the moment from him – a baby taking candy from an adult!
His swivel-hips mesmerised Liverpool’s midfield who had no answer to his boyish impudence.
Wind on five years and all eyes were now on Grealish and the weight of expectation was suddenly on his sizeable shoulders.
The kid has filled out into a top athlete and leader.
This was his chance to seize the day and show all the rumours surrounding his supposed summer move to Manchester United, or a string of other admirers, was justified.
Instead it was Foden who shone brightest.
Grealish will be back here at Wembley, possibly for more finals – almost certainly in an England shirt soon, possibly this summer in the Euros.
First he has to find a way past Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho for starters.
But he better hurry because it won’t be long before Foden gatecrashes that party too.
Phil Foden scores amazing free kick for England U21 against Albania
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
