UCL: Phil Foden Hat-Trick Inspires Man City to Win Over AEK Athens
Phil Foden scored his first-ever Champions League hat-trick as Manchester City ended their four-match winless run at home on Tuesday nights with a commanding 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden treble seals dominant City win...
Manchester City remain unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League against teams from outside Europe’s top five leagues since March 2018, after defeating AEK Athens 5-1 on Tuesday.
AEK have historically struggled on English soil, with just one win in six visits, and they were on the back foot from the outset here.
City's early pressure finally paid off after just 12 minutes. Enzo Fernandez's free-kick smashed against the crossbar, and Elliott Anderson was on hand to tap in the rebound for his first goal for the club.
Maresca's men kept pushing throughout the first half and came within inches of a second when Allan also rattled the crossbar, though this time there was nobody to follow up.
City's dominance warranted more than a one-goal lead, and they finally got their reward 10 minutes before the break.
After a neat exchange of passes with Rico Lewis near the byline, Phil Foden lashed a shot high into the roof of the net to double his side's advantage.
The 2022/23 champions should have taken a three-goal cushion into half-time, but some fine goalkeeping from Alberto Brignoli denied Rayan Cherki at the near post.
They occasionally looked vulnerable at the back, and AEK capitalised after the interval to drag themselves back into the contest.
The goal itself was straightforward a powerful, untracked run from deep allowed Stavros Pilios to latch onto Zini’s perfectly weighted ball in behind before firing home at the near post.
City, however, boast immense quality in attack, and it didn’t take them long to restore their two-goal cushion when Cherki curled a left-footed strike into the corner from the edge of the box.
Shortly after, City sealed the contest with another fine goal.
Cherki was at the heart of it again, dinking an exquisite ball in behind the AEK backline. Lewis cut it back, and Foden arrived to crash home a half-volley into the top corner.
The hosts were still not done. Foden completed his first Champions League hat-trick 15 minutes from time, arriving unmarked to tap in Ryan McAidoo's low cross from six yards.
After that, Maresca's side eased off, seemingly satisfied to have ended their four-match winless streak at home in Tuesday night European games.
AEK, meanwhile, have now gone 20 Champions League away matches without a win, with the daunting prospect of Real Madrid up next.
Foden hat-trick 🤠#UCL https://t.co/OHXyX7J5wq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 20, 2026
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