LiveScore Daily: Pep says Foden is enjoying his best ever season

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Phenomenal Phil

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Phil Foden after the attacking midfielder's hat-trick inspired Manchester City's 3-1 win at Brentford last night.

Foden struck an equaliser just before half-time in West London before scoring with a header and left-footed finish to complete his treble.

And Guardiola insists the England international is enjoying the best season of his career to date.

He said: "This season he's been so important to us.

"I said a few weeks ago that Phil is having his most influential season in terms of goals and assists.

"He's an exceptional player."

Banishing the Blues

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he received a supportive text message from Chelsea's owners after Sunday's 4-2 home defeat to Wolves.

The Argentine is chairman Todd Boehly's fourth manager in less than two seasons at Stamford Bridge and is under pressure with his side 11th in the Premier League.

But he claims he has the full backing of the club's hierachy.

The 51-year-old said: "I received very good texts from them.

"I think we are all together in this and that's important. Of course I am in contact with them and the sporting director every day.

"The fans need to trust in us. We need to provide the calm for the players to feel free to play."

Konsa blow for Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed defender Ezri Konsa could be out for up to four weeks with a knee injury.

Konsa hobbled out of Saturday's 5-0 victory at Sheffield United in a serious blow to Villa.

The 26-year-old will miss tomorrow's FA Cup replay with Chelsea as well as league matches against Manchester United, Fulham and Nottingham Forest before the end of the month.

Emery said: "He [Konsa] has a knee sprain and he is going to be not available for Chelsea.

"I don't know [exactly how long] but three or four weeks more or less."

The Villa boss did confirm Pau Torres will return to the bench on Wednesday evening.

Moving on from Mou

Paulo Dybala revealed Daniele De Rossi has made several changes to Roma's approach since replacing Jose Mourinho as manager last month.

The Argentine forward scored a brace in the Giallorossi's 4-0 demolition of Cagliari yesterday evening, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dean Huijsen also on the scoresheet.

And Dybala admitted he is enjoying De Rossi's stint in charge.

He said: "Many things have changed.

"Mourinho and De Rossi are different. De Rossi knows this city and club more than anyone. 

"He brought a lot of enthusiasm, made us understand many things and we pulled out something that we had within us and weren't calling on before."

High praise for Hojlund

West Ham striker Michail Antonio revealed he is a big fan of Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund during a guest appearance on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

After a sticky start to his United career, Hojlund has scored four goals in his last four matches.

And Antonio believes an improved run of form was always likely for the 21-year-old Dane who cost a reported £72million from Atalanta last July.

He said: "To be fair, I liked what I saw at the beginning the season.

"Obviously you rate strikers on scoring goals but it's not about just scoring goals, it's about what you bring to the team.

"The goal he scored yesterday was quality. The fake shot dragged on to his weak right foot, into the bottom corner, great strike through the ball. I really rate him."