Phil Foden: Michael Owen hails Manchester City's star 'moment of magic' at Real Madrid - 'A seriously talented boy'

TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen heaped praise on Phil Foden following his starring role in Manchester City's UEFA Champions League draw with Real Madrid.

The two teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu.

Foden scored the goal of the game though, curling a magnificent effort into the far top corner to draw City level at 2-2 in the second half.

It is the latest in a catalogue of stunning strikes from the England international, leaving Owen drooling over his technique.

"He's just a seriously talented boy," the former striker told TNT Sports. "That ability to be able to manipulate the ball, to take the ball on the right foot... normally it takes people two or three touches to shuffle the ball into position and then to be able to hit it.

"He just knows where to take it all the time. Not only which foot to take it off, but where the space is going to be.

"That one, he just lets it go across his body, on to his back foot, into the space, and then it's an unerring finish.

"The way he took it on his back foot, to take it away from the defence, it was an unbelievable finish.

"That was the pick of the goals; his was the goal of the game. What a player, what a finish. He didn't have loads to do in the game. I'd expect him to be a little bit more involved, but that was just a moment of magic."

Foden limped off injured in the second half, much to the concern of manager Pep Guardiola.

However, the midfielder revealed after the match that he had simply suffered a dead leg, with the City boss revealing Foden was "grumpy" with being removed.

Despite being withdrawn late on, he had still made his impact on the game, with former City player and TNT Sports pundit Joleon Lescott believing a shift in tactics at the break led to an improved performance.

"We saw a slight change in his position, his role, in the second half," he said. "He went and played in the centre of the pitch and I think that's where everyone believes, and he showed it himself tonight, that that's his best position.

"That's where he affects the game. He receives the ball just before his goal and turned and just ran at the defence and causes chaos and causes uncertainty.

"When he got the ball, he only had one thing on his mind, and that's to put it in the top corner. We've seen him operate in a more central position in the second half and this is where I think he's the most impactful on games.

"He creates this opportunity out of nothing. It's not a great first touch, but I think he knows what he wants to do before he receives it, which makes up his mind. It's probably the only place he could score. There's minimal back lift. There's so much power."

The 3-3 draw sets the tie up perfectly for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.

Real Madrid will fly to England hoping for revenge for last season's Champions League semi-final defeat to the same opponents, when they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in Manchester.

Owen added: "The standard of finishing was just exquisite, wasn't it? Six goals! It's beautifully poised for the game at the Etihad, and I think City will be happy. I think they'll be the happier of the two teams.

"They will remember fondly what happened 12 months ago when they really took this Real Madrid team to school, they battered them at the Etihad.

"They'll be thinking that could happen again. I think City are the happier of the two teams, but what a game for the neutral.

"It was an incredible game for a first leg, and I'm expecting a bit more in the second leg!"

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