Foden hat-trick fires Manchester City past AEK Athens

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:02 · Archive

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City defeated AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League.

Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, bouncing back from a 4-2 defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain the previous week. Phil Foden announced his return to form with a hat-trick, whilst Elliot Anderson opened his account for the club and Rayan Cherki also scored in a dominant display.

Enzo Maresca fielded a heavily rotated side, handing opportunities to fringe players whilst resting top scorer Erling Haaland following an injury scare. Seventeen-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba was deployed up front in place of the Norwegian striker, as City sought to demonstrate their attacking depth beyond their leading scorer.

City established control from the outset, taking the lead after 12 minutes through Anderson's first goal for the club. The England midfielder pounced from close range after Enzo Fernández had clipped the bar with a free-kick. Foden's first two goals came from close-range finishes following assists from Rico Lewis as City pressed relentlessly in the first half.

AEK Athens mounted a brief resurgence early in the second period, with Stavros Pilios scoring to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and offer the visiting supporters hope. However, it proved a rare moment of quality from the Greek champions. Cherki restored City's three-goal lead five minutes later, extinguishing any suggestion of a comeback as the hosts' superiority became decisive.

Foden completed his hat-trick to seal a statement performance, his third goal of the same match marking a return to the form that had eluded him. The midfielder had waited nearly 12 months for his previous Champions League goal and had not scored before his strike against Ipswich on Saturday, ending a drought stretching back to last December. His three finishes proved clinical and purposeful.

Foden's display came amid reports of his struggles over recent seasons. Enzo Maresca said: 'I consider Phil one of the best English players. For different reasons in the last two or three years, he was not good enough. But I know how good he is.' The match took place in front of half-full stands at the Etihad, with many City supporters treating it as a game that could be missed in expectation of a routine victory over a team lacking global superstars.

How it is being reported

• Man City 5-1 AEK Athens: Phil Foden hits hat-trick in huge Champions League winCity scored huge victory without several key starsEvening Standard · 20 Oct, 22:44
• The Phil Foden show in front of 20,000 empty seats at the Etihad: Man City's hat-trick hero has found the fizz and purpose that deserted him last season as he stakes his claim in style, writes JACK GAUGHANJACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD: While all eyes are on how Manc City replace Erling Haaland, Phil Foden made his point on who fills in for Antoine Semenyo on the right wing.Daily Mail Sport · 20 Oct, 22:19
• Hat-trick hero Foden stars as Man City thrash AEK AthensPhil Foden bagged a hat-trick as dominant Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 win over AEK Athens to claim their second Champions League victory of the campaign.Sky Sports · 20 Oct, 22:12
• Phil Foden nets hat-trick as Man City bounce back from PSG loss with dominant win over AEK AthensManchester City were beaten 4-2 by defending champions PSG last weekIndependent Sport · 20 Oct, 22:01
• Foden hat-trick helps Manchester City cut through noise and crush AEK AthensEnzo Maresca has called for Manchester City to make their own noise on the pitch to drown out the cacophony surrounding them but maybe a quiet night at the Etihad Stadium was what they needed all along. AEK Athens were easily dispatched in a businesslike manner, as Phil Foden announced his return to form with a hat-trick to get City’s Champions League campaign back on track after being pummelled by Paris Saint-Germain . The match was uneven throughout as Foden shone on the wing and later down the middle, with goals from Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki helping to ease City to victory in…Guardian Football · 20 Oct, 22:00

In this story: Phil Foden · Manchester City · AEK Athens · Elliot Anderson · Rayan Cherki · Erling Haaland · Enzo Maresca · Etihad Stadium

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