Enzo Maresca urged to drop Man City star despite win against Crystal Palace

Enzo Maresca has been urged to rethink his selection before Manchester City’s next game after fans were left unimpressed by one player during the side's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Despite City securing their second successive Premier League win with a 4-1 victory over Palace at Selhurst Park, it appears not everyone is pleased.

Erling Haaland scored his first goal of the season and his first since cutting his hair, with the Norwegian glancing the ball past Dean Henderson to make it 1-0 after 17 minutes.

The away side further extended their lead nine minutes after half-time, with Rayan Cherki’s clever solo goal putting Maresca’s outfit two goals ahead.

However, Pierre Sage would have been encouraged as Palace clawed one back when Yeremy Pino’s long-range free-kick rebounded off the crossbar and onto Gianluigi Donnarumma’s back before ending up in the Italian’s net.

City’s two-goal buffer was restored just three minutes later, with Cherki netting his second of the evening from long range. Haaland registered his second and City's fourth five minutes from time.

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City fans dub player's performance 'unacceptable'

Despite the positive result and Foden claiming two assists for Cherki’s first goal and Haaland's second strike, numerous supporters voiced their concerns about the Englishman, who was accused of missing several clear-cut chances.

One said: “Almost every Manchester City fan was criticising Guardiola for benching Foden, and now we can all see why. He’s been poor and has missed clear chances.”

A second added: “You see those chances Foden couldn’t capitalise on? So, in a situation like this, when we lose the game, how can you blame Enzo Maresca? They’ve given Foden season after season after season to pick himself up and get back to his best, but he just doesn’t seem capable of finding that level anymore. He’s honestly lucky Manchester City fans love him so much because the patience they’ve shown him is incredible.”

A third commented: “Foden is so weak. He gets dispossessed so easily and looks scared to win the ball when he’s close to an opponent. It’s just unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: “Phil Foden has been stinking it up for City since 2024, and everyone’s suddenly lost their voice. Let Rashford or Saka produce these same performances, and we’d never hear the end of it.”

A fifth said: “Considering what City are about to do in the market, the next two or three games are do-or-die for Foden.”

A sixth waded in: “It was once unthinkable that City would sell Foden. It was a sign of madness to suggest he wouldn’t be a one-club man. Now, I watch and wonder what price would be acceptable for him, or whether sentiment is always going to get in the way of any sale. It seems like every week he plays himself a tiny bit nearer to the exit.”

Despite struggling over the past two seasons, Foden penned a new four-year contract with City earlier this summer.

City return to action at home against Coventry City on September 5.