Phil Foden has insisted that the Premier League's verdict on Manchester City has not affected the dressing room "one bit", after scoring in a 3-2 home win over Ipswich. The result ensured City ended the weekend top of the Premier League table.
City were recently found guilty of breaching 114 financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The club strongly deny the charges, which were first brought against them in February 2023, and have launched an appeal as their legal battle with the Premier League continues.
Business as usual on the pitch
Foden, 26, opened the scoring in Saturday's victory, and City have now won both of their league games since the verdict was confirmed. In his post-match interview, the midfielder was seen holding an inflatable banana.
"I'm going to get one for my son as a present, I think," Foden told club media. "I think he wanted one, so I can give him one now."
The bananas have become a symbol of City's defiance against the verdict. "It hasn't affected us one bit," Foden added to Sky Sports. "We've just stuck together, just did what we normally do and focus on the games one by one and just be ourselves. I think we've done that really well.
"We have great characters and leaders in the changing room. Nothing's changed. We're just fully focused and trying to do the best for the fans that we can."
Match details and winning run
Foden's early strike broke the deadlock, but Ipswich equalised two minutes later through Daizen Maeda. Erling Haaland then scored twice to give City breathing room, before a 90th-minute penalty from Zian Flemming made for a nervy finish.
The victory means Enzo Maresca has made the best start by a new manager in Premier League history, with City winning all seven of their top-flight matches so far. "First of all, I am very happy because it's a matter of winning games in this business," Maresca said.
"We were able to win seven in a row and what made me very happy was day-by-day with the players, the way they are working and how I can see them improving. Today I thought we controlled the game, created chances and were good off the ball. We are doing well and I think that's the most important thing."
