Foden 'determined to prove a point' - but will 'Tuchel notice it'?

When Manchester City released the team news before their long-awaited game in hand against Crystal Palace, Arsenal fans must have been rubbing their hands.

Pep Guardiola made six changes to the side that beat Brentford 3-0 just a few days before, deciding to rest and rotate key players before the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

However, never underestimate the quality of players City have throughout their squad.

There were players coming in for game time with a point to prove - none more so than Phil Foden. The Stockport-born academy graduate has come in for criticism this season after his drop in form and a surge from others, which had resulted in limited game time from the bench.

The last time he had scored was at Selhurst Park back in December, so a start would give him the opportunity to shine - and shine he most definitely did.

This was the Foden that won so many accolades after the 2023-24 season. This was the Foden that people had dubbed a mercurial maverick. This was a player determined to prove a point, demanding that people stand up and notice that his skill, talent and genius hasn't gone anywhere.

His two assists were proof of that. The first - an instant contender for the best of the season - being a no-look backheel ball for Antoine Semenyo to slot home.

He was constantly telling his team-mates to play the ball to him, he was full of energy but, most importantly, he looked really sharp and really focused.

His past two appearances from the bench had been encouraging, but this was the Foden that had made the world stand up and notice.

The local lad who has already won everything at his boyhood club - now a man who is reminding Pep Guardiola of the quality he possesses.

Will his display remind England boss Thomas Tuchel that he is more than worthy of his place on the plane for the World Cup this summer?

They say timing is everything - let's hope Tuchel stands up and notices it too.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here