The old football adage that one player’s misfortune is another’s opportunity could well apply to Phil Foden.
The surgery on luckless Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring that will keep the midfield star out of action for Manchester City probably until the New Year leaves a creative void for Pep Guardiola.
But it is one that home-grown Foden can fill, given Saturday's evidence.
Of course no-one can completely replace De Bruyne who has been the playmaking force behind City’s success since joining them for what now looks a bargain £50million in January 2015.