Phil Foden hat-trick inspires Manchester City to Champions League win over AEK Athens

Manchester City responded to their 4-2 defeat by Champions League holders Paris St-Germain with a convincing 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden was the outstanding player for Manchester City, scoring a hat-trick as the home side secured a comfortable win on Tuesday night.

Elliot Anderson put Manchester City ahead after 12 minutes, reacting quickest to Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick to poke the ball home against the Greek Super League holders.

Foden doubled the advantage in the 34th minute with a powerful finish into the roof of the net, giving AEK Athens a difficult task before half-time.

The visitors pulled a goal back seven minutes after the interval when Stavros Pilios converted with AEK’s first shot on target.

Manchester City restored their two-goal lead only five minutes later. Rayan Cherki finished after being set up by Foden, who then completed the scoring with an excellent first-time strike into the top corner.

The result moved Manchester City up to sixth in the league standings with six points from three games. AEK Athens are 27th with three points.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said: “I think it was a complete performance. It was not easy, especially after the PSG game.

“So we had two games, Ipswich and today that we needed to win and, yes, we did our job. I think again, we concede the goal in transition, but probably could have made something better in that situation.

“Again, we scored five. We could have probably scored more, but happy also because some of the players were not playing many minutes. They were ready and this is important.

“To be honest, it is the best feeling for any manager when you make many changes, but at the end the performance is good, so happy for especially them.”

Foden said the team had shown patience after AEK reduced the deficit.

“I enjoyed that a lot. The lads were great again. We showed determination again. It wasn’t pretty at times. I thought we stuck at the gameplan, we kept going and in the end we broke them down,” he told reporters.

“Probably the second [goal], the way it went it – delighted to score goals. I am a forward, so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. Good for my confidence.

“Slowly, but surely. Still got a long way to go, but I am going in the right direction.

“Scoring along the way definitely helps. I want to keep working hard and keep being the best I can for the manager and the team.

“When I changed into that false nine role I enjoyed it a lot. Really enjoyed that role tonight.”