Foden hat-trick in 5-1 Champions League win as Haaland rested

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick and provided an assist as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium in a Champions League match on Tuesday. Erling Haaland was named in the squad but was given the night off after sustaining a blow to the foot in the previous game.

Foden had entered the season saying he was looking forward to a "fresh start" under new manager Enzo Maresca following two disappointing campaigns and omission from England's World Cup squad. He had been sent off in the derby against Manchester United in September for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, and his goal against Ipswich on Saturday was his first Premier League strike in 10 months. Foden scored 19 goals as City won the Premier League in 2023-24 and was named the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year and the league's player of the season. He ended last season by failing to score in his last 31 games for club and country but signed a new four-year deal in July.

Maresca made eight changes from the side that beat Ipswich, keeping only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden in the starting XI, and deployed Foden in different attacking positions during the match. Foden began on the right before moving into a false nine role later in the game and said he "really enjoyed" the position. He was named man of the match after having a hand in four of the five goals as City pulled away after a brief scare early in the second half when AEK reduced the deficit to 2-1.

Foden became the third Englishman to score a Champions League hat-trick and provide an assist, following Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2004 and Raheem Sterling for City in 2019. His first and third goals were converted from close range, while the second was a first-time finish from just inside the area that found the top corner. "Beautiful - that's the word I would use to describe him," former City defender Joleon Lescott said on TNT Sports. "His finishing was exquisite. "I think he has convinced the manager that if Erling Haaland isn't available for any reason throughout the season, then he is the man to play at number nine."

Reflecting on the performance, Foden said: "I enjoyed that a lot. 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." He added: "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."

Maresca also offered public support for Foden after the game, saying: "I was very happy with Phil, even before the red card to be honest," said Maresca. "I said since day one that I consider him one of the best English players. "We know that Phil is a top player. Again, for different reasons, he had some problems in the last two years but he is going to help us. "That is why we are so keen to have him in the best way."

Former England winger Ashley Young said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "When Phil Foden gets his opportunities tonight, he takes them with both hands. By getting a hat-trick, his confidence is going to be sky high. "Enzo Maresca is going to be happy he hasn't had to bring on Erling Haaland or Jeremy Doku. He has been able to use the players that are in his squad. "This is no way a second-string but you have got to go our there and show the manager 'I should be playing'. "Foden is answering his manager's questions."