Phil Foden scored a hat-trick to underline his long-awaited return to form as Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The England international delivered a commanding performance at the Etihad Stadium, offering fresh hope of a revival after two difficult seasons marked by a significant dip in form.
The 26-year-old, who has spoken openly about struggling with his mental health, had gone 10 months without scoring before finding the net in City’s victory over Ipswich on Saturday.
Once regarded as one of England’s brightest prospects, Foden was left out of the country’s World Cup squad earlier this year, highlighting the extent of his decline from the heights he previously reached.
Having ended his Champions League goal drought, which dated back to November 2025, the midfielder will now be hoping to build on Tuesday’s performance and establish greater consistency as he seeks to revive his career.
Elliot Anderson opened the scoring with his first goal for City since joining from Nottingham Forest during the close season, before Foden doubled the hosts’ advantage before half-time.
Although Stavros Pilios pulled a goal back for the Greek visitors shortly after the restart, City responded emphatically. Rayan Cherki restored their two-goal cushion with a superb finish before Foden scored twice more to complete his hat-trick.
The victory marked City’s second win in the Champions League league phase, following their opening-game triumph over Porto and a defeat to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain last week.
City maintain strong form amid financial uncertainty
City’s impressive performance came as the club continues to await the outcome of its appeal against an independent commission’s findings concerning more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Reports have suggested that the club could face a substantial points deduction, potentially threatening its top-flight status. The uncertainty has also raised questions about City’s long-term prospects in European competition.
However, manager Enzo Maresca and his players have shown little sign of being distracted by the controversy, while supporters have continued to demonstrate their backing for the Abu Dhabi-owned club.
City have now won 10 of their 11 matches in all competitions this season, maintaining their strong start despite the absence of prolific striker Erling Haaland.
Foden shines in Haaland’s absence
Haaland was named among the substitutes after appearing to suffer a foot injury at the final whistle of Saturday’s victory over Ipswich, in which he scored twice.
Maresca made eight changes to the starting line-up, giving several squad players an opportunity to impress. Seventeen-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba also showed flashes of promise on the flanks.
City needed just 12 minutes to take the lead. Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick struck the crossbar, and Anderson reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting the ball into the unguarded net from close range.
Foden doubled the advantage in the 34th minute after an impressive attacking move. Combining with Rico Lewis through a quick exchange of passes, the midfielder broke through the AEK defence before firing high into the net from an acute angle.
City appeared comfortable at half-time but briefly lost their concentration after the restart. Pilios capitalised on the lapse to score AEK’s first goal on target in the 52nd minute, raising hopes of a comeback.
Those hopes were short-lived, however, as City restored their two-goal advantage five minutes later.
Foden picked out Cherki near the edge of the penalty area, and the Frenchman produced an elegant turn to create space before finishing confidently.
Cherki then turned provider in the 65th minute, sending a long ball forward that Lewis knocked down for Foden. The midfielder arrived to guide a precise shot into the top corner from 18 yards.
Foden completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet Ryan McAidoo’s cross and tap the ball home.
The treble was his first in more than two years and capped a memorable evening for the midfielder, who will hope the performance marks a turning point in his season as City continue their pursuit of Champions League success.
AFP
