Foden Inspired as City Cruise Past Dortmund

Erling Haaland dominated the pre-match chatter ahead of his reunion with his former club. But it was Foden who stole the show. With Tuchel set to name his next England squad on Friday, the City playmaker couldn't have timed his performance better as Guardiola's men climbed into the competition's top eight.

The 25-year-old's case for an England recall grew stronger by the minute. He produced two stunning finishes either side of another trademark Haaland goal. Next week's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania loom large, and Foden has put himself right in the conversation.

Guardiola was effusive about his star man's return to form. The Catalan believes Foden is ready to drive City's charge for silverware.

"Phil is back," Guardiola said. "How many times have we seen Phil score these goals? We missed this last season but this season I think he's going to help us."

"When Phil is happy with love and joy, you don't have to say much. He's a special player but we need his goals and today was the step to do it."

Haaland refused to be overshadowed entirely. He hammered home Jeremy Doku's cross to take his tally for club and country this season to an absurd 27 goals from 17 appearances. His overall Champions League total now stands at 54 from 52 games.

Dortmund showed signs of life when Waldemar Anton pulled one back to make it 3-1. He converted Julian Ryerson's set-piece delivery. But City finished with authority. Rayan Cherki added a late fourth to inflict only Dortmund's second defeat of the campaign.

Before kick-off, Guardiola had called the fixture crucial in the race for qualification to the knockout phases. City want to avoid an extra game in the play-off round by securing a top-eight finish.

Unlike last season's appalling Champions League effort, City appear to be comfortably on course for the play-off rounds, with the Dortmund victory lifting the Blues to 10 points from 4 games.