Forget blowing bubbles, Phil Foden is forever winning titles.
The 23-year-old England star’s first-half brace sent Manchester City storming to their fourth-straight Premier League title – an all-time English top-flight record.
Foden pilfered a sixth Premier League title for himself in just seven years, reaching that tally of top-flight triumphs even faster than Ryan Giggs, the record-high league medal holder with 13.
Pep Guardiola’s 17th piece of City silverware came courtesy of Foden’s 18th and 19th league goals of the season, as the Etihad Stadium men dismissed West Ham 3-1.
The Hammers came north hoping to conjure a magic send-off for departing manager David Moyes. Mohammed Kudus magicked up an overhead kick goal as acrobatic as it was thunderous, a spectacular finish worthy of rewatching on repeat.
But the visitors were still outmanoeuvred from first to last, unable to do title hopefuls Arsenal the mother of all favours with a result in the North West.
Just two minutes in, Foden delivered, blasting home from outside the box with the crispest of strikes.
Arsenal abandoned all hope back down in London. And when Foden swept in just 16 minutes later, the Gunners’ heads must have gone. Bubble truly burst.
When Rodri drilled a third in the second half, the cake was iced in style – from a peerless operator who is now unbeaten in City colours in 50 Premier League matches and 73 games in all competitions.
Foden’s adhesive boot continues to flummox all who attempt to defend him, the homegrown City star able to affix the ball to his foot and spin on command.
The peerless pirouette allows Foden to shield the ball with his standing hip, and opponents are yet to decipher how to thwart his special move.
Any time Guardiola opts to leave, City’s dynasty will need a new governor ... and the small matter of those 115 Premier League charges
That it is so often followed by a crisp finish, as here for his first goal, only serves to underscore his genuinely prodigious talent.
Giggs raced to his first six top-flight titles amid Sir Alex Ferguson’s youth revolution in the Manchester United of the nineties.
Foden had to stay injury-free and hit Premier League star class while still a schoolboy to reach six titles quicker than Giggs, but somehow he has managed exactly that.
Perhaps the only limits to his trophy cabinet will be through elements outside of his control.
Any time Guardiola opts to leave, City’s dynasty will need a new governor. And the small matter of those 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial irregularity could play a part in City’s reign too.
Innocent until proven guilty as Guardiola said recently, but the hearing is thought to be scheduled for October.
Time will tell all on City’s administration then, but also for Foden, who has precious little standing between him and trophies upon trophies.
