Foden nets hat-trick as Man City cruise past Athens in Champions League

Phil Foden netted a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1 to return to winning ways in the Champions League.

Enzo Maresca’s side lost 4-2 to European champions PSG last time out in this competition, but tonight’s comprehensive victory got them back on track.

It took just 12 minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock. An Enzo Fernandez free-kick struck the crossbar, and his midfield partner Elliot Anderson was on hand to fire home into an empty net.

Rico Lewis and Foden then combined to double City’s advantage before the break. It was a second goal in two starts for Foden, since returning from a one-month lay-off after his Old Trafford red card.

There have been some chaotic matches at the Etihad of late – with City conceding nine goals in their three most-recent home games before tonight. Gianluigi Donnarumma may well have been expecting a quieter evening and, indeed, it played out that way in the first half.

However, the Italian goalkeeper’s wait for a clean sheet was extended shortly into the second period. Charging forward from left-back, Stavros Pilios drilled home to give the Greek visitors their moment.

Nevertheless, City swiftly reestablished their two-goal lead within five minutes. Foden found Rayan Cherki inside the penalty area and an exquisite first touch from the Frenchman sent the defender sliding the wrong way, before he cushioned the ball into the bottom corner.

Foden was then on target twice more to complete a Champions League hat-trick – the first of his career.

Lewis was again on hand to assist the attacker’s second of the night. It was a superb, inch-perfect strike from Foden that nestled into the top corner. Then his hat-trick was completed with a tap-in, put on a plate for him by substitute Ryan McAidoo.

It was a comfortable evening for City, but one that was much-needed given recent chaos both on and off the pitch. Maresca has regularly insisted that he wants to see Foden back to his best, and tonight gave us our first glimpse of that.