Phil Foden delivered a standout performance by scoring a hat-trick and setting up another goal as Manchester City earned a commanding 5-1 victory over AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. The 26-year-old was directly involved in four of his team’s five goals during a dominant display.
Foden excels in alternative attacking role
Manager Enzo Maresca made eight alterations from the lineup that defeated Ipswich in their previous game, retaining only Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Ruben Dias. With Erling Haaland rested after sustaining a foot blow in his last outing, Foden started on the right flank before moving central into a false nine position.
Although the visitors briefly threatened a comeback by making it 2-1 early in the second half, City swiftly asserted dominance. Foden converted two close-range chances and added a fine curled strike into the top corner from inside the box. His display made him just the third Englishman to tally a hat-trick and an assist in a Champions League match, following Wayne Rooney in 2004 and Raheem Sterling in 2019.
“I enjoyed that a lot,” Foden told TNT Sports. “The lads were great again. We showed determination again. I am a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It is good for my confidence.”
Asked whether he was returning to his peak level, Foden said: “Slowly, but surely. Still got a long way to go, but I am going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.”
Analyzing the match on TNT Sports, former City defender Joleon Lescott described Foden’s finishing as “exquisite” and suggested he has shown Maresca he can step into the central striker role whenever Haaland is sidelined.
Building momentum after a challenging stretch
The hat-trick represents a major turnaround for Foden following two underwhelming seasons and an exclusion from the England squad last summer. After receiving a red card in September’s derby against Manchester United, he ended a 10-month Premier League goal drought against Ipswich before continuing his form against AEK Athens.
Foden previously scored 19 goals during City’s 2023-24 title campaign, claiming the PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards, but later went 31 appearances for club and country without scoring toward the end of last season. He signed a new four-year contract in July.
Maresca praised Foden after the match, noting that he has viewed him as one of England’s finest players since taking charge and remains committed to bringing out his best.
Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former England winger Ashley Young highlighted that Foden took full advantage of his starting spot, demonstrating to the manager that City possess strong internal solutions without needing to call upon Haaland or Jeremy Doku.
Source: BBC Sport
