Eberechi Eze Goes Along With Phil Foden Praise After England Stunner

England picked up a routine 2-0 win over Serbia in their World Cup qualifying clash at Wembley Stadium this week, with goals from Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze sealing the three points. Both strikes were eye-catching, with Saka volleying home in the 28th minute, before his teammate curled in the second goal of the game shortly before the full-time whistle.

It was interesting to note, however, that ITV commentators Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon were quicker to praise Phil Foden’s role in England’s second goal, highlighting the assist (a fairly simple five-yard pass) before mentioning the wonder strike from Eze.

For example, Dixon said: “We talk about the quality of this lad on the ball, questioning it. This pass, right here, it looks easy but it sets himself up. Eze’s waiting for it on his right foot. He gets it absolutely perfect, Phil Foden, so he [Eze] can just run on it and bend it into the first corner.

“The presence of mind to roll the ball into his path, and Eze takes care of the rest of it.”

It was a strange bit of commentary, and fans online picked up on this and criticised the duo. What’s more, ITV continued with their praise for Foden in their coverage after the game, sparking more confused reactions from supporters.

Eze Remains ‘Humble’ Despite Strange Foden Praise

Edding to the unusual coverage of the goal, when speaking to ITV after the game, Eze was asked: “Was the key to your goal Phil Foden’s pass?” It’s a somewhat baffling way to look at the stunning strike from the media, but Eze showed who he was with his response to the question

The Arsenal star looked a little taken aback by the line of questioning from journalist Gabriel Clarke, but showed how humble he is by giving a thoughtful response, opting to praise Foden, instead of bigging up his own qualities:

Podcaster Adam Keys was among those who praised Eze for his answer, writing: “Eberechi Eze is humility defined. He’s just whipped it into the top corner with a delicious first-time strike, which had an xG of 0.03, and the interviewer asks if a four-yard pass was the key to the goal. It’s time for Arsenal fans to build him up. The press clearly won’t.”

Another fan wrote: “What a farcical question from one of the worst interviewers in the game. Guy scores from outside the box and it’s all about a 5-yard bobbly pass from Foden who they want as the golden boy for the World Cup (Probably to shoot him down too!)”

One more called it a ‘ridiculous question’ while a final supporter summed up the mood, writing: “If you didn’t see the goal, you’d think Foden dribbled past three players and put it on the plate for an easy tap in for Eze.”

It’s always good to see the press hype up English talent, and Foden deserves praise for his cameo off the bench vs Serbia, but that shouldn’t mean overlooking Eze’s contributions. That was his second goal in as many games for the Three Lions, taking his tally to three strikes in 15 caps – just one fewer than Foden, who has four in 46 outings for his nation.