Phil Foden emulates Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland as he impresses again in front of England boss Gareth Southgate

Phil Foden scored his 50th top flight goal under Pep Guardiola and that means that he joins a pretty unique group.

The Manchester City star’s brace against Brighton on Thursday night saw him reach 50 Premier League goals as he helped City to a 4-0 win on the south coast.

As a result, Foden joins Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland as the only players under the age of 23 to score 50 top-flight goals while working under Guardiola.

The midfielder has been a first team regular under Guardiola for several years, but there’s no doubt that this term he’s started to reach his undoubted potential.

This term, Foden has scored 24 goals and provided ten assists for Man City, a tally that he hopes can help his club to double trophy glory.

As well as Foden’s two goals, Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez saw City to victory with England boss Gareth Southgate watching on in the stand.

Victory over Brighton means that Guardiola’s side sit second in the Premier League – a point behind Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand.

They will also face Manchester United in the FA Cup final where City will be hoping to end the season in style.

But next up for Man City will be a tricky test as they travel to take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

With title rivals Arsenal facing Tottenham earlier that same day, the clash at the City Ground could go a long way to deciding where the title ends up this term.