‘Sexy football’ - Roy Keane lauds ‘world-class’ Man City star after Bristol City win

Roy Keane labelled Manchester City’s third goal against Bristol City as ‘sexy football’ as the Premier League champions progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-0 at Ashton Gate in the fifth-round tie, with Phil Foden netting two prior to a sublime third that was converted by Kevin De Bruyne in the 81st minute.

The Belgian was fed the ball from Jack Grealish inside the opposition half and, after allowing it to run across his body, De Bruyne curled the ball exquisitely into the bottom corner from around 30 yards out. It topped off a superb performance from the Belgian and evidently impressed Keane in the ITV studio.

“I love watching him [De Bruyne],” said the Irishman. “I love watching him live. I think it’s the little details he does right in terms of his decision making, his passing, he obviously has a goal in him. He is world class. Some of the stuff we saw tonight…

“I said when we were watching it [the third goal]: sexy football. The weight of the pass from Jack even and then there was no doubt in my mind when he got in that position he was going to score. It was like a tap-in for him. Pure quality, I just love watching him.”

Meanwhile, Keane also claimed Foden is ‘back to his best’ after City’s no.47 admitted on Tuesday night that the last few months have been the ‘lowest part’ of his fledgling career due to injury and a lack of game time.

“It’s the roller coaster of being a footballer,” opined the former Manchester United captain. “It’s nice for Foden, he can admit that. We talk about the importance of mental health in sport.

“He’s had a few injuries and when you’re not playing it does affect you. We questioned about Foden getting up to speed, in the last few games and he is very much up to speed. But it goes to show the challenges football players [face].

“I know sometimes we regard them as high-class problems but it is still a head-job for certain players when they’re injured or not in the team. It can be very difficult but obviously he’s bounced back and he looks back to his best.”