Man City 5-1 AEK Athens: Foden hat-trick fires City to comfortable Champions League win
Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a thumping 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium, with Phil Foden stealing the show. The Guardian described it as City managing to "cut through noise" and crush their Greek visitors on what was ultimately a routine night (The Guardian).
City made the perfect start when Elliot Anderson converted from close range in the 12th minute following a set piece. Phil Foden doubled the lead on 34 minutes, finishing from the right side of the box after being teed up by Rico Lewis, sending City in 2-0 up at the break.
AEK gave themselves hope early in the second half when Stavros Pilios pulled one back in the 52nd minute, finishing from a fast break set up by substitute Zini. But City's response was emphatic. Rayan Cherki restored the two-goal cushion just five minutes later, turning in a Foden assist from the centre of the box.
Foden then took over completely, adding his second of the night in the 65th minute courtesy of another Rico Lewis assist, before completing his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a close-range finish set up by substitute Ryan McAidoo. Manchester Evening News noted Foden was "sensational" on the night as they handed out player ratings including two 8/10 performances (Manchester Evening News), while ManCity.com's own report confirmed the "Foden treble inspires five-star City" in their AEK Athens triumph (ManCity.com).
The only blemish on City's evening came when Josko Gvardiol was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute for a bad foul, shortly before he was replaced through injury along with a delay in play. AEK's Lovro Majer was also forced into a delay after picking up a knock around the same time.
Statistically City were dominant throughout, enjoying 63.6% of possession and firing 17 shots at goal compared to AEK's 11. City were accurate in possession too, completing 635 of 680 passes, and won eight corners to AEK's three. The win moves City to six points from three games in the league phase, while AEK remain on three points following back-to-back defeats in the competition.
Manchester Evening News also pointed to a touching moment from Foden after one of his goals, suggesting there was more to the celebration than met the eye, under the headline referencing a "gesture" that "cannot disguise" wider hopes around the club (Manchester Evening News). Whatever the subplot, on the pitch City's front-footed approach and clinical finishing made this one of their most comprehensive European performances of the season so far.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
